2013 was a weird year. Everything was weird about it – the weather was certainly weird but, most of all, business was weird.
Anything connected with weddings suffered this year – hotels, photographers, planners – they were all grumbling because business was down. Why? Thirteen! The year had a 13 in it, and couples (especially brides) don’t want to curse their marriages by getting betrothed in a year with good old unlucky 13 in it.
In the voice of Juan Sheet, 2013 was plenty weird. Will 2014 be different? Still in the Juan Sheet voice, “You betcha pretty ladies (and, er, chaps)!” 2014 is going to be a great year if, and it’s a big if, interest rates don’t go up.
All the signs are that the Bank Of England (and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) may increase the rate by a quarter or even half point by the autumn if businesses like ours (and yours) keep taking on staff.
“So what if interest rates go up? Who cares?” I hear you mumble over a Baileys and mince pie.
What do I think? I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet and a half point interest rate rise may be just enough to stamp on the fingers of quite a few companies that are precariously hanging on by their nails. Watch this space.
