Although we have regulars staying with us, several of them tell me that it is pretty quiet around town even compared to this time last year. It may have something to do with the upcoming Euro 2008 football circus in Switzerland and Austria or perhaps more accurately it could very well be the soaring fuel surcharges on long haul flights. The credit squeeze which we predicted was in store was one reason we tried to hold our prices from October - February 2009 at the same levels as up to February 2008.
Quite a lot of bars are complaining about a lack of punters and thinking about pulling the shutters permanently. Businesses are tuppence a dozen for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
In the soi here, several bars have changed hands:
1 Stop is now The Haven run by a bloke from Kerry
Cock n' Bull is now Kilkenny run by a bloke from .... Kilkenny
Gorkle is apparently for sale as is Drunken Duck
Stereo has changed hands and renovation work is on-going
Micky Malone's has retained its name but is now branded London Irish with a new owner
Willy has decided to do a spot of TEFL at a school in Bangkok
Lilo Lils has now become 3-Some
and several others are coming on the market soon.
A new street committee of sorts has been formed with a view to try and restore a bit of order as far as parking goes as well as sorting out the illuminated arches at both ends of the soi. I wish them well!!!
As elsewhere, fuel costs, sugar etc are increasing and it is only a matter of time before the price of all drinks goes up. Barfines are around 300 in the street - time I raised mine!
More to follow.....
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