Popular cafe closes after wage increases and National Insurance hikes ‘cripple' venue
More family businesses are expected to close
closing down Popular cafe closes after wage increases and National Insurance hikes 'cripple' venue
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
DISHEARTENED cafe owners were forced to close their business after they were crippled by National Insurance hikes.
TickTocks in Kent had become unviable after the new regulations came into place on April 6.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
TickTocks in Rainham Shopping Centre, Kent, announced its closure on social media
Credit: Facebook
The government increased the rate of employer National Insurance Contributions from 13.8 percent to 15 percent.
The move was widely criticised by business leaders, who warned the move would lead them to hike prices.
For small businesses across the country, the additional cost has been too much to bear.
Teresa and Dave, who own the Rainham cafe, took to social media to announce the closure.
"It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to tell you that TickTocks will be seizing trading from 4pm today.
'This decision didn't come lightly and we are absolutely heartbroken to have to come to this decision but with the over heads and the new regulations put in place regarding wage increase has just crippled us.
'Thank you so much to all of our regular customers that kept us going for as long as we could.'
Loyal customers flocked to share their shock over the closure.
"So, so sorry to read this!! Such a lovely, friendly place," one wrote.
"I'm so sad to hear this. I brought my nan in for an afternoon tea for her birthday last year and she said 'it was the best she'd ever had'. Such a shame the rising costs of everything are forcing so many lovely places to close," a second added.
Hollywood Icon Jason Statham Surprises Local Cafe
"You're our favorite cafe. Thank you for all your wonderful hospitality and kindness - you were our extended family," said a third.
One pointed out that the parking cost increase had become a deterrent for some potential customers.
"I have to say that since the parking costs increased in Rainham I now go elsewhere to shop for the bits I would have once bought at Rainham shopping centre," they explained.
"Unfortunately, this includes grabbing a coffee and cake elsewhere too. I wish you all the very best in the future," the person added.
More closures could be on the horizon due to upcoming hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage.
Many food and drink businesses have faced significant challenges recently, as the rising cost of living has led to a decline in dining out.
After struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic, many establishments were then hit with soaring energy bills and mounting inflationary pressures.
This has forced several well-known chains to shut locations, with big brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's among those affected.
2
The owners said the reason for the closure was the wage increase
Credit: Facebook
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Top 10 fastest-selling used cars last month with bargain hatchback topping the list… and a shock runner-up
The motor in the top spot took just 8.6 days before it was snapped up HOT CAKES Top 10 fastest-selling used cars last month with bargain hatchback topping the list… and a shock runner-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE top 10 fastest-selling motors last month have been revealed - and the car ranked in second place is somewhat surprising. Data from Motors shared this week showed that used examples of the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa were the quickest out of the door of dealerships across the country in May. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The newest version of the Vauxhall Corsa was the best-selling used car of May Credit: PA 2 The Ford Explorer was, perhaps surprisingly, in second spot Credit: Rich Pearce On average, a Corsa that's roughly six months to a year old stood on a forecourt for just 8.6 days before it was snapped up. The much-loved hatchback, which, on average costs between £11,000 and £14,000 second-hand, was followed, perhaps surprisingly, by the Ford Explorer in second place. Nearly-new examples of the pure-electric family SUV sold after 11.6 days on average - which the experts at Motors believing the Explorer's popularity was down to its 'keen pricing'. Still, the Explorer's place on the list is by far the most eye-catching, compared to others. The full top-10 list can be found below. Fastest selling used cars in the UK in May 1 - Vauxhall Corsa Age: 6 Months to 1 Year Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: Less than 5k Miles Average Days to Sell: 8.6 2 - Ford Explorer Age: Less than 6 Months Fuel Type: Electric Mileage: Less than 5k Miles Average Days to Sell: 11.6 3 - MG HS Age: 1 Year to 2 Years Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: 10k Miles to 20k Miles Average Days to Sell: 11.7 4 - Seat Ateca Age: Less than 6 Months Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: Less than 5k Miles Average Days to Sell: 13.1 5 - Peugeot 2008 Age: Less than 6 Months Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: Less than 5k Miles Average Days to Sell: 13.2 6 - Toyota Yaris Age: 2 Years to 3 Years Fuel Type: Hybrid Mileage: 10k Miles to 20k Miles Average Days to Sell: 14.7 7 - MG HS Age: 1 Year to 2 Years Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: 5k Miles to 10k Miles Average Days to Sell: 14.8 8 - Vauxhall Corsa Age: 3 Years to 4 Years Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: 20k Miles to 30k Miles Average Days to Sell: 16.0 9 - Peugeot 208 Age: Less than 6 Months Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: Less than 5k Miles Average Days to Sell: 16.2 10 - Nissan Qashqai Age: 3 Years to 4 Years Fuel Type: Petrol Mileage: 10k Miles to 20k Miles Average Days to Sell: 17.9 Motors also revealed that dealer inventories averaged 52 units during May with the average price of a used car on their platform at £17,197. Overall, dealers were forced to trim their prices to get stock off of their forecourts. Commenting on the data for May, Motors marketing director Lucy Tugby told Car Dealer Mag: 'Other nearly new cars in our Top 10 include the Seat Ateca, Peugeot 2008 and Peugeot 208, suggesting competitive pricing as dealers moved to clear their stocks to avoid competing with promotions on new cars. 'The fast sales were achieved despite our May Market View analysis tracking a monthly increase in days to sell from 29.3 to 30.3.' OUT WITH THE OLD We're almost at the halfway point of 2025 in what's been a whirlwind six months or so in the motoring world. Ford puma E The UK is in the midst of a transition to electric vehicles which comes with new regulations and economic pressures, while the industry continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. Elsewhere, the Ford Puma remains the nation's favourite motor while Tesla's favouritism begins to dip, and Nissan's problems are going from bad to worse. We've also had some exciting car releases, from the Alpine A290 hot hatchback and Dacia Bigster SUV, through to the outrageous Aston Martin Valhalla. We've also learned of the demise of some of our favourite models - ready to drive off into the sunset. Here are some of the biggest nameplates reaching the end of their production runs that have been announced this year.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Jobe Bellingham becomes Dortmund's 2nd-most expensive signing and pricier than Jude as Sunderland agree record transfer
RING THE BELL Jobe Bellingham becomes Dortmund's 2nd-most expensive signing and pricier than Jude as Sunderland agree record transfer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUNDERLAND have agreed a club-record fee of £27.8m for Jobe Bellingham to join Borussia Dortmund. The agreement also includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause, and will go second on the list of Dortmund's most expensive signings. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Jobe Bellingham has officially joined Borussia Dortmund from Sunderland Bellingham, whose older brother Jude played for the Bundesliga club for three seasons, helped Sunderland secure promotion back to the Premier League this season. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Popular discount store announces another shop closure
Eleven branches of the Original Factory Shop will shut in the coming weeks after the discount chain announced further closures. The group's store in Middlewich, Cheshire, will close its doors for good on Saturday, June 28. It's the latest location earmarked for closure by the group, which had already announced the shuttering of 10 stores over the next month, including branches in Dorset, Aberdeenshire and Cumbria. This is in addition to five further shops, which will be put up for sale. Residents reacted to the blow to their local high street, saying they would miss the discount store. One wrote: 'What a shame. So sorry for the staff.' 'Another blow for Middlewich… sad news. Staff always friendly and the store was good to shop in…', another commented. A third said: 'There is going to be nothing left in Middlewich everything is closing down.' The Original Factory Shop was purchased by Hobbycraft owner Modella in February. Modella also recently acquired WH Smith's High Street stores, which will be rebranded to TG Jones. The group announced its intention to place TOFS into a company voluntary arrangement or CVA – a scheme used to avoid insolvency and prevent the business from collapsing. As part of the process 'a number of loss-making stores will have to close,' the company said. The latest closures follow over a dozen shops already shuttered in the past year, the Sun reported. More Trending Over 13,000 shops closed their doors permanently last year, amid squeezes on business, including the increase to employers' National Insurance contributions. A total of 11 stores are now due to close over the coming weeks Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire – June 26 Arbroath, Angus – June 28 Chester Le Street, County Durham – June 28 Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire – June 28 Middlewich -June 28 Normanton, West Yorkshire – June 28 Pershore, Worcestershire – June 28 Perth – June 28 Peterhead, Aberdeenshire – June 28 Shaftesbury, Dorset – June 28 Staveley, Cumbria – July 12 The following five stores are set to be sold: Nairn Market Drayton Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas Other high street names including Iceland and Poundland have announced store closures, with hundreds of locations facing an uncertain future. Most recently, fashion giant River Island announced it had called in consultants to discuss how to keep stores open through tough trading conditions. The brand has had a high street presence for more than 75 years, having previously named Lewis and then Chelsea Girl before being renamed to its current iteration in 1988. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The best-selling bra top range from Uniqlo has expanded ahead of summer MORE: Supriya Lele x Mango collection has landed and here's everything we're buying MORE: These are the must-have straw and raffia bags to see you through summer
