We couldn't afford to close for the Queen's funeral
MEN on Sunday|September 25, 2022
The cost of living crisis through the eyes of those struggling on one Greater Manchester High Street
DAMON WIKINSON
We couldn't afford to close for the Queen's funeral

GORDON Conway says he's always been a workaholic. It's a good job too, because at the minute he's doing 15 hour days, six days a week.

Gordon, 48, owns The Malaga Drift Coffee Company, a small cafe bar on Church Street in Eccles. But at the minute things are so tight he can't afford to employ anybody else.

"I can't afford staff," says Gordon, 48. "I have to be cheaper than Starbucks and Costa, but they can buy in bulk, they can own their premises - the only thing I can do is cut staff, so I have to do it myself."

Gordon, who spent most of his working life in logistics before opening up the cafe about six years ago, says luckily his energy bills are locked in until next summer. But the cost of everything else is soaring and he can't risk putting his prices up because he 'wouldn't have any customers left!

"Business is slow," he said. "It's down 20 per cent since Covid. You can tell people are cutting back. They're not going out as much.

"I try to spend as little as I can, which is fairly easy because I'm at work all the time. But I'm living so cheaply at the minute it's ridiculous."

On Wednesday Liz Truss unveiled a six-month plan, starting in October, to pay about half of energy bills for businesses. It will undoubtedly help, but as Gordon says if your gas and electric bills have trebled in the last few months, you'll still be considerably worse off than you were this time last year.

This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of MEN on Sunday.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN ON SUNDAYView All
Defensive pair still out with Rico return likely
MEN on Sunday

Defensive pair still out with Rico return likely

MANCHESTER City travel to Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday seeking to bounce back from their late collapse at Brentford.

time-read
1 min  |
January 19, 2025
This is my gift...
MEN on Sunday

This is my gift...

CYNDI LAUPER REFLECTS ON HER CAREER AHEAD OF THE UK LEG OF HER FAREWELL TOUR.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 19, 2025
FACE THE FUTURE
MEN on Sunday

FACE THE FUTURE

We round up five fabulous finds from this year's Consumer Electronics Show

time-read
3 mins  |
January 19, 2025
JILL'S COFFEE BAR ON THE WRIGHT TRACK
MEN on Sunday

JILL'S COFFEE BAR ON THE WRIGHT TRACK

ENGLAND football legends united in Greater Manchester as Ian Wright paid a surprise visit to the popular cafe owned by Lionesses star Jill Scott.

time-read
1 min  |
January 19, 2025
Maria was the therapy I didn't realise I needed
MEN on Sunday

Maria was the therapy I didn't realise I needed

FOLLOWING Maria Callas's death, aged just 53, many reflected on the life and career of the incredibly talented opera singer as one of great tragedy.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 19, 2025
Law gave fans the time of their lives
MEN on Sunday

Law gave fans the time of their lives

IT IS rare for a footballer to be a great, a legend and a king. Denis Law was all three.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 19, 2025
MEN on Sunday

Two teens in custody after 16-year-old stabbed

TWO teenagers have been arrested after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in Clayton.

time-read
1 min  |
January 19, 2025
PSG star signing won't be available for City showdown
MEN on Sunday

PSG star signing won't be available for City showdown

MANCHESTER City and PSG meet in the French capital next Wednesday in a fixture crucial for both clubs' seasons.

time-read
1 min  |
January 19, 2025
Curious case of a 48-hour art heist
MEN on Sunday

Curious case of a 48-hour art heist

IT'S a Sunday morning, just before noon, and staff at Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery are about to open up for the day when a barely believable discovery is made.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 19, 2025
February games are chosen for TV coverage
MEN on Sunday

February games are chosen for TV coverage

MANCHESTER City's FA Cup trip to Leyton Orient and Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur in February have been chosen for TV coverage.

time-read
1 min  |
January 19, 2025