Northwich independent owner on the cost of living crisis

As the economy struggles to recover in the post-pandemic era, soaring prices have resulted in millions of people around the country struggling to cope.

Food, gas and electricity prices are the highest they’ve been in decades with the rate of inflation now close to 10 per cent. 

The impact the crisis is having on ordinary working families is also being felt by businesses as people have less money to spend in shops and across the hospitality industry.

Those pressures are felt even more acutely by independently owned businesses as they often operate to much finer margins and don’t have the added luxury of being able to cut back on a large workforce in a bid to balance the books.

We spoke to some of the town’s small businesses and asked them about what life is like at the moment and their hopes for the future.

Rachel Davies, who owns Ivy Cottage Interiors, which opened its doors on Crown Street just over a year ago, said trade has been slow since Christmas.

“It’s not really picked up since then,” she said.

“We have good days, but we have absolutely dire days.

“And I understand it – I get it – we’re all struggling because we’ve all got homes and families.

“Coming from an independent’s point of view, the likes of the larger stores in town, they deal with it by losing staff, but we can’t do that.

“We try and keep our prices as competitive as possible, but we can’t run at a loss.

“We only have electricity at the shop, but that bill has already doubled and I’m dreading October when it goes up again.”

Rachel Davies opened Ivy Cottage Interiors in July last year

Ivy Cottage sells soft furnishings, gifts, ornamentals, candles and accent furniture and was inspired by Rachel's desire to bring something unique to home interiors, with many items not typically available in your average high street interior store.

The business recently celebrating its first birthday, which provided a boon, while the many events on in town, also drive footfall the right way.

“On Saturday (July 16) we had our first birthday celebration,” she added.

“Loads of people came out to support us, including new and existing customers, so there was a good mix.

“The takings on the day were great, but they should be like that every Saturday.

“We are so grateful to the town council and Northwich BID and they do an incredible job.

“It’s swings and roundabouts – because the likes of the monthly artisan market, isn’t great for us.

“It drives a lot more into town, but we generally don’t have a great day when it’s on.

“We’re really lucky in Northwich with the number of events we have on – as a lot of town centres don’t have that.

“But it shouldn’t take events to bring people into town.

“It’s hard to know what the answer is to drive up numbers into town all the time.

“It comes down to that old saying – you either use us or lose us.”

Ivy Cottage celebrated its one year anniversary on July 16

One of the high street’s longest-running businesses closed its doors last week, when Crafty Stitches made the difficult decision to call it a day.

“That was so sad to see,” Rachel added.

“They’ve been in the town centre for such a long time, and they’re such lovely people, who have just had to shut the doors.

“It’s so unfair and if they’re struggling there’s not much hope for the rest of us.

“I just wish more people would shop more independently.

“I’ve never had anyone in my shop who has said they can get something cheaper elsewhere.

“We do also try and change our stock every few months, but it’s also harder for an independent to do that.

“I would welcome more support from councils with regards to rates as I believe it would help a lot of independents like us.”