The challenging landscape for small businesses in the UK is exemplified by the recent announcement from the owners of No Frickin Chicken, a vegan food outlet that has decided to close its operations due to rising costs and economic pressures. Paddy Kelly and Hana Hughes, the married couple behind the successful venture, communicated their heartbreak over this decision, emphasizing that the struggle to manage costs had become insurmountable.
Founded in April 2021, No Frickin Chicken initially operated as a food truck catering to markets and festivals. A little over a year later, the couple opened a diner in St John’s, Worcester, expanding their offerings and solidifying their presence in the community. Unfortunately, they now face the grim reality of shuttering their business after noticing a steady increase in food prices, persistently high rent, and the mounting costs associated with maintaining their food trailer.
The couple’s statement sheds light on their dire situation, noting the burden of inflation and escalating operational expenses. They pointed out that the government’s efforts to stabilize public finances and foster opportunities for businesses have not alleviated the hardships they have been experiencing. In an environment where many bills—including those for water, energy, council tax, and telecommunications—are set to rise, small businesses are left struggling to make ends meet.
The situation is exacerbated by the recent increase in the minimum wage, which rose from £11.44 to £12.21 hourly. While Mr. Kelly acknowledged the importance of better wages, he emphasized that additional support is crucial for small businesses struggling to cope with these new financial hurdles. Cost burdens are particularly pronounced for enterprises like theirs, which can ill-afford to absorb the increasing wage pressures.
Moreover, unforeseen expenses such as vehicle breakdowns further strained their operations, with one incident resulting in a staggering £10,000 repair bill. The couple lamented that the cumulative effect of these rising costs has reached a point where they can no longer sustain their business. “If everyone’s struggling for money,” Kelly remarked, “and there are fewer customers to go around, it places even more pressure on our operational viability.”
With only about 5% of the population identifying as vegan, Kelly opined that appealing to a niche market complicates their situation when customer spending decreases. He underscored the need for significant changes from the government, highlighting that all sorts of businesses—new and established alike—were closing down at alarming rates.
Despite their current predicament, both Kelly and Hughes expressed gratitude for the support they received from loyal customers and their dedicated staff throughout their journey. They now hold firm in their belief that they may eventually return to the culinary scene in some capacity, driven in part by the messages of encouragement they have received from their community.
As for the broader economic outlook, a government spokesperson reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, emphasizing the importance of small businesses to the economy. They pledged to focus on creating opportunities that would enable businesses to compete, access financing, and expand into new markets.
As small businesses like No Frickin Chicken navigate an increasingly difficult landscape, their stories highlight the urgent need for systemic support and reform to help ensure their survival and continued contribution to local economies. This situation resonates with the experiences of other small businesses facing similar challenges in the current climate.