Hi everyone. It has been a while since I have written a blog post here. I do of course rant on social media now (!) and then. And you may also have seen pieces in the Watford Observer and My News – or also heard me on the BBC.
It’s got to the point where I now have my favourite Trolls. I could of course cry at some of the things that they say. But instead I have taken my lead from James Blunt. If you know you know but if you don’t then let me tell you that his responses on social media to some of the vitriol directed towards him are beautiful…
I am sixty six years old. Finally in receipt of my state pension. A mother of four wonderful children and grandmother of two beautiful granddaughters. I’ve been urged to give up more times than ever over the past few weeks.
But what does “giving up” mean?
I could sell The Kitchen – the business. But who would honestly buy it in the current climate and knowing how tough things are for similar businesses? They may of course apply for a licence to change its use but what does this parade need?
I could sell the building – and see it developed. But why would I do this? I am not a greedy person but I care about my family and would rather see it passed on to my children and grandchildren who could perhaps make a living from whatever they decided to do with it?
I guess I could just stop. Close the door. Sell off the stock. Refund the bookings in the diary. Turn my back on the stress. BUT that isn’t me!
Ever since The Kitchen was just an idea I’ve believed with every fibre of my being that it was “meant to be”. The name reflects this – the way in which a kitchen is the heart of the home. Somewhere people gather for a cuppa, a glass of wine perhaps. Where they see good food being prepared and served, where conversations take place that bring hope and comfort.
And over the past eleven years this vision has come to life. There are children going to secondary school who I welcomed to The Kitchen when days old. We’ve made wedding cakes for couples who’ve now been married ten years and have two children. We’ve loved and lost so so many beloved customers that we came to know through their frequent visits. Initially on their own but after a while with us and then other customers. This is what hospitality means. Cafes and Coffee Shops, Pubs and Restaurants at the heart of their community. Team members taking time to reach out, to go the extra mile, to get to know people and take care of them.
I am SO disappointed that the role of small businesses – in particular hospitality – have been ignored, devalued and ill-treated by successive governments. VAT is perhaps the prime example. 20% of our turnover (with the exception of a very few cold, sugar free takeaway sales) goes directly to HMRC. But we’re not allowed to make this explicit on our menus.
We’re “supposed” to claim this back so that we are just a conduit for VAT but that’s not possible. Why? Because we make our own cakes and cookies etc and the ingredients are zero rated!
I don’t want to close but I am being urged by so many to do so. I’ll leave it here and go watch the Lionesses. I know that for this post to be noticed we need a photo so enjoy this one…