A Norwich shop has received an outpouring of public support after issuing a plea for help and understanding for small businesses amid skyrocketing running costs.
Kieran Meenaghan, 37, the owner of The Games Table, a board game and table top entertainment venue in Lower Goat Lane, was met with a positive response after posting a video to the business' Facebook page in which he seeks to be "transparent" and says the shop has been struggling.
In the video, Kieran outlined a series of price increases to be implemented in order to keep up with rising costs, including a new minimum limit of two drinks per four-hour session which Kieran hopes will help improve the business' viability.
"I don't think having two drinks in a four-hour period is much to ask," he said.
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"Last year we sold 1.7 drinks per table session (four hours) and this year it's fallen even further.
"With just that 0.3 difference we would make enough money to cover a month's worth of wages or two month's worth of rent."
Speaking to this publication, Kieran said: "The response following the announcement has been overwhelming.
"This last Saturday we were really, really busy and people were saying how they understood the changes.
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"We want people to realise that just because we look busy, does not mean we aren't struggling."
Kieran has run the games shop in the city's Lanes since early 2020, having previously a shop on Magdalen Street which he started in 2018.
"This September our electricity is set to jump three times higher than its current rate and we've taken out another loan to renovate the toilets which were left in a poor state by the last owners."
Despite difficulties, Kieran is hopeful The Games Table can expand in the future, with plans for shops in other cities.
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