A chip shop owner has spoken out about his fear of losing his livelihood due to the current economic climate. Amadeu Catanho has been operating his Crispy Cod Fish Bar in Lockleaze for the past seven years but has recently begun to feel the financial crunch.
The 54-year-old said Brexit, the pandemic and the current cost of living has gravely impacted his livelihood and has witnessed a 30 per cent drop in customer volume because of it. “We used to have customers coming twice a week but now, we’re very lucky to see them once a month.”
READ MORE: Many mortgages in Bristol will become ‘unaffordable’ says UWE expert
Mr Catanho explained that the business is not able to drop its prices any further as they are “trying to keep their heads up above water”. He continued: “It has been very difficult at the moment because everything has increased. We [his family] are trying to keep our prices as low as we can but people are not buying as much as they used to. I don’t think there is much we can do because we cannot go any lower,” he added.
Like many businesses, he was able to apply for a grant during the pandemic which he said was “very helpful” but believes if his establishment continues its downward trajectory, he will need more financial support. Mr Catanho said he nor his family get “a proper wage” from operating the business and until everything is “back to normality”, they will continue to struggle.
When asked if he believed his business could withstand the current economic climate until year-end, he told Bristol Live: “We hope so, but we are just very concerned about the way things are at the moment. “The business has deteriorated quite badly.”
As a family of three which includes his partner and daughter, he said they are trying to stay optimistic about their future. He said he doesn’t know how long the business can “cope” and he cannot afford to waste anything. “It's a lot of stress. Some days we are just wondering how long we can keep going and what will happen next,” he added.
READ NEXT:
- Bristol shoppers forced to buy less as food inflation hits record levels
- The food waste apps that can help you save money during cost of living crisis
- Cost-of-living crisis affects millennials more than any other generation, study finds
- DWP boost for pensioners as new benefit claiming method for £3,300 payment introduced
- St Werburghs City Farm at risk due to cost of living crisis
