A cafe owner from Co Down has spoken of the importance of supporting local small businesses whenever possible amid the cost of living crisis.
Jenna McCready opened Caledonia Coffee and Bakes in Newtownards on December 21 last year after dreaming of owning her own cafe for years.
In that space of time, Jenna has built up a community around her coffee shop, and said her regular customers are the "heart and soul" of the place.
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Recognising that times are tough for everyone and that everyone, both businesses and customers, are working hard to make ends meet amid rising costs, Jenna said this support from customers is invaluable.
Taking to social media after receiving her electric bill this week, Jenna announced she would be reducing the opening hours of the cafe as a result. However, turning a negative into a positive, she used the opportunity to shout about the importance of small businesses in the local economy of Northern Ireland.
In the post, she added: "What we do ask is that you support small businesses as much as you possibly can at the minute. Whether it be grabbing your lunch from a wee deli instead of a big chain, or chilling with us on a Thursday evening with a big beautiful hot chocolate, every little bit of support is so, so appreciated."
Speaking to Belfast Live, Jenna said: "People are going to buy their coffees, buns and toasties, so it's about switching focus and saying to try and go to a local place instead of a big chain. I cannot express enough how much of a difference it makes.
"Someone coming somewhere like this for their iced latte and a bun could be the difference between me being able to pay my rent that month. Everything is so tight at the minute.
"I wanted the post to highlight the positive element of business, as people are so lovely and supportive, I want to make sure every small business is getting that sort of loyalty and support.
"I've worked in every area of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland and we're a tough breed, the past two or three years has highlighted that especially, we've been through a lot. I think it's no secret hospitality has suffered a lot over the last three years.
"The coffee community in Northern Ireland is so tight and supportive of each other, the amount of messages I got after the post from small business owners was amazing."
When it comes to the cost of living crisis, Jenna said her cafe is "not a special case" as "everyone's going through tough times at the minute."
She said it's important for her to focus on the positives, including her customers who make it their mission to support her through thick and thin. Jenna said she tries to pass this on by supporting as many local businesses as she can by stocking their products in her shop, and hopes more people can give independents a chance.
"I love my customers and love what I do, and I think if I didn't love what I do it would be a very different story," she added.
"But I love coming into work everyday. On Instagram, I've started a 'people of Caledonia' series at the minute. I could not open everyday if I didn't have the support of all my regulars.
"Another benefit of going to a wee independent place is you're speaking to the person who's bills you're paying, I think that's so unique. You go into a big chain and you'll probably get great service, but you're not seeing the person who's bills you're paying.
"In my shop, it's literally just me, it's a one-woman show. I absolutely love it, but it's a unique thing for my customers to know that buying a toastie from me instead of a big chain means they're helping me keep the doors open. It's amazing, I'm so grateful for it."
Jenna said support is needed from the government to support local businesses, as the hospitality industry is "just bleeding at the minute."
She added: "It would be good to see something similar to what households are being given in terms of help with electricity bills, or maybe something similar to the Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
"I know everyone is skint at the minute. The main thing for me is that it feels like we're being left behind to really struggle, and everyone in the industry I've spoken to is in the same boat.
"Customers aren't spending money so businesses aren't making money, so they aren't able to pay staff what they're worth. The industry is just bleeding at the minute."
For more details visit: https://www.restaurantji.co.uk/northern-ireland/newtownards/caledonia-coffee-and-bakes-/
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