Digital Zeitgeist – The Rising Tide: UK Small Businesses Confront Soaring Interest Rates
The Bank of England recently pushed interest rates to a whopping 15-year high of 5.25%, an event that has raised alarm bells amongst small business owners throughout the UK. The move, executed with the goal of taming rampant inflation, has been paired with the dire prediction that borrowing costs will remain high for the next two years. The implications are significant and the effect of this financial manoeuvre reverberates through the livelihoods of people across the nation.
Andrew Crook, the President of the National Federation of Fish Fryers and owner of Skippers of Euxton in Lancashire, expresses his worries succinctly. “We are seeing some people trading down, some people who would have bought two fish and chips are buying one large and sharing it between them,” he says. Amid rising living costs and the prospect of winter energy bills, customers are becoming more cost-conscious, and small businesses are feeling the pinch.
Yet, beyond the mere concern of dwindling sales, businesses are trapped in a tumultuous cycle of unpredictability. Without a foreseeable change, Mr. Crook admits, “small businesses are just treading water because we don’t have the borrowing power.”
Another voice to this tale of financial woe is Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital in North London, which provides bridging loans for the property market. Samuels boldly claims that the Bank of England’s rate hike isn’t daring enough. “While an unpopular opinion, it could be argued that the Bank of England hasn’t been daring enough in their decision to increase rates again today and really another 0.5% increase was needed to tame inflation.” He argues that a temporary period of discomfort caused by higher interest rates may stave off sustained economic instability.
Rachel Peers, owner of La Beau Fleurs in Woolston, Cheshire, provides an insight into the retail world. “People are looking at more value options and not making as many impulse buys,” she shares, noting that customer spending habits are already changing. Beyond immediate effects, Peers also raises concerns about the potential future impact of rising interest rates on consumer confidence, particularly regarding big financial commitments such as weddings. “People are nervous about making big financial commitments over the next couple of years, I think,” she says.
Echoing this predicament, Matt Culley, a farmer and agricultural contractor in Hampshire, shares his experience. “I need to purchase new machinery and the interest rate quoted to me has gone up to 9% so I’m going to have to hold off until rates come down,” he explains. Culley’s situation encapsulates the long-term risks that rising interest rates pose to small business operations. He admits to not being able to pass on these extra costs, which inevitably eats into his profit margins.
The Devil’s Advocate View
However, viewing these circumstances from a devil’s advocate perspective, one could argue that the Bank of England’s actions are critical to achieving long-term stability. The rate hike serves as a necessary bitter pill, aimed at controlling inflation which is a potentially far greater beast, capable of destabilizing the economy more significantly and for a much longer period. In this light, the Bank’s decision can be viewed as a protective measure against wider economic catastrophe.
Furthermore, such tough economic conditions can be seen as an impetus for businesses to innovate and adapt. These circumstances force enterprises to scrutinise their operations, identify efficiencies, and diversify their offerings in response to changing consumer behaviours. It is often during these periods of financial constraint that novel business models and strategies emerge, which can ultimately contribute to stronger, more resilient businesses in the long run.
It’s important to remember that economic cycles are, by nature, cyclical. Today’s interest rate highs may be tomorrow’s lows. While the current outlook may appear grim for small businesses, periods of economic difficulty have historically been followed by periods of recovery and growth. Consequently, there’s potential that the current adversity faced by small business owners may simply be a precursor to a brighter economic future.
Nevertheless, the burden that rate hikes place on small businesses cannot be ignored. It’s essential for policymakers to support them during this challenging phase, as they not only contribute significantly to the economy but also form the backbone of local communities. Ultimately, fostering an environment that nurtures the growth of these businesses will ensure the health of the wider UK economy, paving the way for a stronger, more robust future.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPM-Invest or any other organisations mentioned. The information provided is based on contemporary sourced digital content and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct further research and analysis before making any investment decisions.