GUILD TALK
View from HQ
By John Farrand managing director
HERE’S A NOVEL thing: I’m sat on a plane writing this piece. Hard to believe, I know, and therefore this is most definitely a landmark day. And not just because I am 33,000 feet in the air for the first time in two years. The fact that I had to hot foot it from a bustling Olympia to catch my flight is cause for celebration.. It’s good news that the first trade show since March 2019 was well-attended and buoyant. It was
news from the guild of fine food great to be back at the Fair with thousands of food & drink people and products. Sampling, debating, selling, tasting, educating. All the elements were there and despite some shared anxiety, it all aligned. There was, of course, plenty of protocol to get into the show and to get on this flight. But we’re used to this now, right? We’re having to run our businesses under the heavy hand of legislation, rules and most definitely, at a distance. Rest assured, the traffic speed in London seems to be back to its lethargic worst. The bus to Heathrow was tiresome with – despite the driver shortage – an inordinate number of lorries blocking Hammersmith Road. And the lack of truckers was a major discussion point at the show. Are the complex, just-in-time logistics of the multiples in danger of completely unravelling this Christmas? Another opportunity for independents. Our shorter, local and ‘less sophisticated’ supply chains should hold up, meaning our shelves will be stocked for the biggest six
The Word on Westminster By Edward Woodall ACS
MPS HAVE RETURNED to Westminster this week and faced the Government’s decision to break a manifesto commitment by increasing National Insurance contributions and dividend payments, dubbed the ‘health and social care levy’. The Government has been attacked on all sides for the creation of the levy. Labour has accused the Conservatives of taxing younger and low-paid workers, their own backbenchers have a natural aversion to tax rises, especially when they break manifesto commitments, and industry criticized them for increasing the cost of employment when the economy will still be fragile. For food retailers, the NICs
increase represents another hike in employment costs that will deter people from taking on more staff. This will be compounded by inevitable increases in the National Living Wage that will be announced in October. With the labour market tightening across the country, this could put a jobs-led recovery at risk. Government needs to think carefully how it can continue to support businesses to deliver the high quality secure jobs people want. If not, it will be a race to bottom with increasing growth in the insecure ‘gig economy’. This is just one of the many difficult decisions that will face the Government for the rest of the year. They have party conference season, the Budget & Spending Review and COP26. The dynamics between the Government and its backbenchers will be interesting to watch. Any anger thus far hasn’t translated into rebel voters. But the Prime
news from the guild of fine food
Are there too many supermarkets, rather than not enough lorry drivers?
Register for Fine Food Show North The Guild is currently gearing up for its annual Yorkshirebased trade show, Fine Food Show North. It will have been 19 months since 2020’s event when the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate opens its doors on Sunday 17th and Monday 18th October, and everyone at the Guild is looking forward to welcoming back exhibitors and visitors to the show. There are still a few stands available for would-be exhibitors, and any interested parties should contact opportunities@gff.co.uk to register their interest. Additionally, anyone wishing to come to the show as a visitor must register online for their free ticket at: gff.co.uk/ffsn
weeks of the year. Granted, we may be missing some firm favourites this December as the bureaucracy and border controls continue to disrupt our Continental cheese and charcuterie imports but this chaos could yet play into our favour. All the talk across the media is, yet again, of empty shelves in the retail giants. We may well need more Eddie Stobart drivers but for me, the question we should be asking in the year of COP26 is this: Are there too many supermarkets and discounters to deliver to, rather than not enough lorry drivers? What’s your view? Email john.farrand@gff.co.uk
Minister’s 80-seat majority is not as solid as he would like and he will have to tread carefully. Alongside the NICs increase, there are multiple challenges facing retailers, not least those supply chain issues and empty shelves. The focus will move to the Budget and what Rishi Sunak decides to do to promote growth and confidence in the UK economy. At the last Budget, Sunak unveiled the ‘super deduction’ policy allowing businesses to offset investments. Similar action is needed in this Budget to stimulate investment. Business rates is one area where the Chancellor could go further but he also needs to incentivize investment. We would value your insights on what the Chancellor should do to, so please get in touch via email.
Entries open for World Cheese Awards 2020-21 The World Cheese Awards – set to be hosted in Oviedo, Northern Spain on 3rd-6th November – is open for entries to cheeses from around the globe. Entries close on 23rd September, however, there is a limited number of entry spaces available so The Guild strongly advises cheesemakers to enter as soon as possible to avoid missing out – entry will close early if the entry cap is reached prior to the closing date. To enter, visit gff.co.uk/wca and click ‘Enter now’.
Edward Woodall is head of policy & public affairs at small shops group ACS edward.woodall@acs.org.uk
The Guild of Fine Food represents fine food shops and specialist suppliers. Want to join them? GENERAL ENQUIRIES Guild of Fine Food Guild House, 23b Kingsmead Business Park, Shaftesbury Road, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5FB UK Tel: +44 (0) 1747 825200 Fax: +44 (0) 1747 824065 info@gff.co.uk gff.co.uk
THE GUILD TEAM: Managing director: John Farrand Marketing director: Tortie Farrand Sales director: Sally Coley Operations director: Christabel Cairns
Sales manager: Ruth Debnam Sales executives: Becky Haskett Sam Coleman Membership, circulation & awards manager: Karen Price Operations manager: Claire Powell
Operations assistant: Meredith White Events manager: Stephanie HareWinton Marketing & events assistant: Sophie Brentnall Financial controller: Stephen Guppy
gff.co.uk Accounts assistant: Julie Coates Chairman: Bob Farrand Director: Linda Farrand
Vol.22 Issue 8 | September-October 2021
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