387 Ormeau Road

The challenges faced this year in running the shop and café have made navigating the business through the pandemic look easy. I run a small, niche business with low profit margins - things were always going to be tight but I had known that going into it. Veganism meant so much to me and I wanted to dedicate myself to it through my work.

The place was popular and well supported but running costs were getting out of control with a bills from SSE Airtricty for May-August totalling £3,153.45! This is with having already reduce down opening days and condensing down fridges/freezers to switch off when we were closed.

20% of virtually everything you eat and drink out goes to the tax man and 387's return for June, July & August totals £2083.15.

On top of this there are wages, suppliers, rent, rates, water charges, loan repayments, insurance, music license, commercial waste collection, card transaction fees, bank charges, equipment rental, accounting fees, subscriptions for internet/epos system/payroll program, the list goes on.

On Thursday 15 September, on my way in to start prep for the weekend, I was struggling to get together the money just to get the place through the rest of that week. I panicked and met with staff to tell them it was over. 

They knew that things were tough and that it was always a very real possibility. As usual they were amazing and we went out on a high with our best day of trade ever. Of course I can't remember any of it cause I hadn't slept with all the additional prep needed! But I know we had a good time, which was no easy feat given that I was getting on like someone had died and had no idea what I was going to do.

Had I taken a breather, even taken that weekend to get help and to rethink how we do things to further reduce costs, we would still be there. But I am losing the fight needed to run a small business, and that just leaves me with flight and freeze responses!

Despite you asking if there was anything you could do to help and even suggesting a GoFundMe to save the space, it didn't feel right to ask for help because it's not a charity.

What I have since been reminded of is that I set up 387 to work for a cause and that I put everything else on hold for that.

In doing so, a valued community space was created. I now need the help of that community.

I know there are so many facing financial difficulty right now but if you are in any position to help me with outstanding bills to take the pressure off so I can look at what can be done to save the space, please do.