A former contestant on The Apprentice has informed Prime Minister Andy Burnham that he is forced to close one of his businesses due to escalating operational expenses. Paul Bowen, who owns Bowen Pies in Chorley, Lancashire, revealed the decision in a social media message addressed directly to the government leader.
Bowen, who appeared on the 2024 series of the BBC reality program, stated that the recent increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions served as the final factor in his decision to shut the Market Street location. He noted that despite the shop generating £100,000 annually, the financial pressure from rising costs had become unsustainable.
“We were already trying to cover everything else going up. Then the government made it more expensive to employ people,” Bowen wrote.
In his reply, Burnham expressed regret at the situation, stating, “I am listening and I’m sorry it has got to the point that you need to close your doors.” He acknowledged that the struggles faced by Bowen in Chorley reflect a broader national trend of empty shops and closing family businesses.
Bowen criticized the current economic environment, pointing to the prevalence of “To Let” signs in town centers. He listed energy bills, business rates, wages, and National Insurance as compounding pressures. He called on the government to scrap or significantly reduce employer National Insurance for small firms, lower business rates, ease the VAT burden, and reduce energy costs to allow businesses to grow and hire more staff.
Addressing these concerns, Burnham highlighted a new £210 million investment announced the previous day aimed at repurposing neglected high street buildings. The funds are designated for converting empty spaces into community hubs, health centers, shared workspaces, cafes, and other local services.
“I know people don’t measure growth on a spreadsheet, they measure it on their high street,” the Prime Minister said, emphasizing the government’s focus on revitalizing local commercial areas.
So the government gives empty buildings to communities, but won’t lower the taxes keeping shops open? Priorities are weird.
Paul Bowen is right though. NI hikes on small employers are killing margins. Glad someone is speaking up.
£210m sounds like a lot until you divide it by every struggling town in the country. This feels like a band-aid.
Wait, was Burnham already PM in 2024? The timeline in this article seems completely off.
I live in Chorley and see the empty shops every day. Hope this money actually helps local businesses like Paul’s.