I always find it distasteful when people opt to dance on the grave of a failed effort. Note I did not say business, as the business itself is still operational. And good luck to them for taking some very difficult steps to navigate an incredibly difficult time for hospitality.For some perspective, and this also pertains to the other thread re expensive dining, I wonder how people keep their heads in the sand but clearly they do. Prices across the board have soared. Anyone who does the weekly shop and keeps an eye on things would know this. The moment we increased prices back in April when many if not all businesses did, ingredients went up again. Yet another price increase would be out of the question. So just when you think you've rounded a corner along comes another blow. Butter doubled. Chocolate doubled. Eggs doubled. Coffee skyrocketed. Secondary ingredients also doubled or, at the very least, increased by 50%. This is down to economy, politics, weather and/or tariffs depending on the combination needed for one's offering. Pick the day, pick the reason. Labor costs increased (add extra for London Living Wage). Customers expect businesses to bear these expenses in toto. That's not possible without turning to the customer and asking them to pony up what is ostensibly their fare share.Then you can add supply chain issues. At any given moment there can be a glitch. We regularly use one of the premium dairy suppliers in the city. And now, on a regular basis, they do not have eggs to deliver. No eggs. I've given up trying to find out why because there's no time to do so. Instead we pivot and hunt down eggs somewhere somehow. Of course that means we will pay a premium which eats into margins. Can we change prices yet again for a week or so to cover that loss? No. Do people pay a premium surge price for Uber? Yes. Have I read about surge pricing at pubs? Yes. Would customers abide by surge pricing for meals when supply issues erode margins? No. So please, to all, before rejoicing that people who tried their best and failed, take a moment to think about the entire picture. I've no clue what all happened, but I have a fair idea. So if suppliers changed by choice or happenstance and quality changed perhaps briefly, perhaps not, and if prices needed to go up to reflect the reality we all face both in and out of hospitality, take a moment to assess that. To have a little empathy. Sure, vote with your feet if you so desire. But that tells me you were never the customer you thought you were. Or need to be.
David Lesniak ● 24d