Bank Holiday Mayhem
June 5, 2011A few weeks back the country came to (some sort) of a standstill to celebrate the royal wedding. An additional (special) bank holiday was “awarded” by the Government, with what seemed little thought to the impact on Small Businesses. One less trading day in which to earn income, yet those that employ people would still need to pay their wages, National Insurance Contributions etc.
The Government has now decided to award another “special” bank holiday in 2012 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This in the week that “Economists Warn that Cuts Put The Recovery at Risk“.
The Coalition Government has talked a lot about the absolute neccessity to ensure SMEs are the bedrock on which we get out of the current economic difficulty, and they have announced a series of measures to make this happen.
Does their approach to a seemingly little issue like adding special Bank Holidays demonstrate however that they really do not get SMEs, and the challenges we are facing? Or should we just lighten up and enjoy a chance for another day off and a party?
We would love to hear what you think.
I observed that for many SME’s the recent “special” national holiday’s were simply a case of “Business as normal” with staff at work and carrying on. Time off in lieu was offered instead.
Speaking to a few local retail businesses, they said that recent takings have been down – and they believe this is as a result of the multiple Bank Holiday’s coming closer together – and people having spent their money elsewhere in local pubs and restaurants and Garden Centres.
There will always be winners and losers in any situation – additional Bank Holiday’s being no different.
I’m not convinced it really makes a big difference in our industry – perhaps at the very traditional break/fix end, but not in recurring revenue MSP business. We still get our monthly fees. Our customers don’t need any less of anything over the month/year – I take a big picture view and think that anything you ‘lost’ is soon recouped. I’m sure there are businesses impacted much more – those that rely on one-off and opportunistic business (small retail, tourism for example) and I do feel sorry for those. I agree that it seems a bit inconsistent with the ‘we must do whatever it takes’ attitude towards economic recovery
Lee