"The writing's already on the wall": Sacha Lord issues stark warning after 'raft' of closures

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Sacha Lord has warned there could be further hospitality closures due to increases in National Insurance contributions and changes to business rates support.

Although only a few days into the New Year, Manchester's Night Time Economy Advisor expressed his concern following a 'raft' of closures already in 2025 - and has said the 'writings already on the wall for many'.

Yesterday, two Greater Manchester businesses announced their sudden closures. Popular Bury eatery Crowded House confirmed they will close at the end of January due to rising utility bills and insurance costs, while award-winning Altrincham deli, Off the Wheaten Track, announced it's shock closure citing uncertainty over increasing costs. READ MORE: 'The odds are so stacked against us': Beloved Greater Manchester restaurant announces heartbreaking closure Echoing some of the concern of small business owners, Sacha Lord wrote on X this morning: "It’s only 7th Jan and I’m already seeing a raft of hospitality closures this morning. "I’m sadly predicting we will see more at the start of this year, than we did during Covid.

The unexpected extra tax burden of an increase in NI and Business Rates increase, will be the straw that broke the camels back. " Many Govt meeting are taking place this month, but sadly the writings already on the wall for many." His post was met with a number of comments, with The Scottish Hospitality Group writing: "It is a trend which unfortunately we will see more of across the year. "Many decided to take Christmas & NY and then call time.