Why is everything closing down in wandsworth Post Reply

[Ebryant]

So so many lovely local restaurant and cafe closures in balham last few months

What is going on??

What can we do about it(other than support remaining ones?)

Some of the ones who have gone seemed to do a good trade so i just cant understand it

The landscape of empty shut down shops is so depressing and i cannot face the appearance of another charity shop

Can we petition the council or something ???

[chorister]

Well, we could stop shopping in supermarkets and online and shop locally instead.  That might help.

[namaste17]

I think it is difficult for most people to understand how hard it is to run a local business..... the rents, business rates, competition..... if we want local businesses to survive, we really need to support them. I own a local business, probably work 60 hours a week.... have one Sunday off generally every 2 weeks.....

People are mostly very kind, but they also come in and ask for loads of favours. Pass extensions... refunds because something came up at their end ... etc.... especially when they know the owner.......It can be incredibly disheartening.

So if you want to support your local business:

Be kind
Don’t ask for favours
Respect t&c’s (they are there for a reason)
Pay the full price
Visit the ones you like frequently
Tell your friends
Tell the business how much you appreciate them
If you have constructive feedback, share it thoughtfully

It is really tough out there, so everything helps. For businesses to be successful, they need to be full all the time. If they are closing, it is likely, that they are just not making ends meet.