‘We’re feeling more positive than we have in years’published at 08:27 British Summer Time
Peter Ruddick
Business reporter, reporting from Liverpool
It’s too early for champagne – both literally and metaphorically – in Liverpool this morning, but I’ve already got some reaction from a bar owner to the economic figures, and it is quite positive.
Iain Hoskins owns several venues and tells me he’s feeling more hopeful than he has for some time.
“We were very worried, obviously, with the last Budget,” he says. “The National Insurance rise was huge. That was £100,000 worth of costs added to our business. However, we’re feeling more positive than we have done for the last few years.”
So, what changed? Weather and consumer confidence.
“The quarter that we are talking about, we had a very early summer and often that period can be a complete washout,” he tells me. “Unexpected sunshine really did bring people out in force.”
“Interest rates going down has really helped – more money in peoples’ pockets. That is fundamental.”