ithuriel Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 Problem with thracs post is, those empty stalls are empty because the peeps that used to use them cant make money at present. To have a business you need money to start with and a product poeple will want to buy but banks are reluctant to lend money and poeple are being very tight with their cash due to constant bad news about the economy and job security, high taxation and wages that have remained stuck at 2008/9 levels whilst inflation has increased. The government austerity measures, trying to tax anything and everything and ridiculous ideas like removing employees rights means that those that are in work are reluctant to splash their cash around and the high street stutters along with businesses struggling to stay afloat. I read in the Mercury Jacobs cameras etc., are the latest to be heading for the chop following the closing down of Mays and an employee of Argos told me they may be heading for online selling only ? I do not know if this is so much a secondary recession or just a long depression to be honest since things started going wrong about five years ago now.
Thracian Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 Problem with thracs post is, those empty stalls are empty because the peeps that used to use them cant make money at present. To have a business you need money to start with and a product poeple will want to buy but banks are reluctant to lend money and poeple are being very tight with their cash due to constant bad news about the economy and job security, high taxation and wages that have remained stuck at 2008/9 levels whilst inflation has increased. The government austerity measures, trying to tax anything and everything and ridiculous ideas like removing employees rights means that those that are in work are reluctant to splash their cash around and the high street stutters along with businesses struggling to stay afloat. I read in the Mercury Jacobs cameras etc., are the latest to be heading for the chop following the closing down of Mays and an employee of Argos told me they may be heading for online selling only ? I do not know if this is so much a secondary recession or just a long depression to be honest since things started going wrong about five years ago now. Some people make money but you're right that times are hard for market traders - and for retailers generally. However I don't think it's evidentially any harder because of government policies, but far more because of the local Labour councfil's decision-making. Making money is about what you sell and the price you sell it. Increased competition is a killer - do something successfully and people will copy and kill the margins. But the most important thing is to sell what's wanted. And at our market anyone could turn up with fabric offcuts at £1 a metre - especially in colours that appeal to Muslim purchasers - and make a perfectly respectable living for extremely modest outlay. Stock could be stored on site and if you don't have a suitable vehicle you could source the deal and pay a friend or relative to fetch your purchased stock two or three times a year. That's just one example. The main problem at Leicester is not the government's financial stategy but having a Labour Council which seems to constantly act against market traders rather than for them and which refuses to listen to criticism even when it is overwhelming. Rents seem to be based on the historical footfall of yesteryear, particularly on Friday's and Saturdays when the high charges are demonstrably unjustified and date back to times when there were major factories all over the City centre and when people got paid in their pockets often for piece work including overtime. Now there are few factories and people's money is paid into the banks. The Labour Council spent £600,000 removing a rent-protecting roof and mostly occupied indestructible stalls, to replace them with gazebos which can't even operate in winds of over 25 mph because of health and safety, which leak, which require erecting and which necessitate stallholders bringing their own tables. Antiques/collectables day excepted, they've created a wilderness and yet they were warned by countless people about the consequences of their actions. Next there will be further disruption while they relocate the fish market onto the site - just another "handicap" to the traders alongside the constant closing of at least one major arterial road into the City Centre more or less permanently over the last decade, with the massive impact that has had. And still more will follow with demolition of the Belgrave flyover. All this has far more effect on trading than any government austerity...and it doesn't end there.
ithuriel Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 The problem with the Labour council in Leicester is they know they will never be voted out of power here and are so corrupt they make the old communist party of the defunct Soviet Union look like a charitable organisation in comparison Love the fact that other cities got to vote on whether to have a new Mayoral position where as Leicester only got to vote on who was to be in this new position and the guy that got it only managed to leave it a year before they gave themselves a huge pay rise backdated a year
Uncle Phil Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 I got 3 applications off this weekend! One in Devon, one in Dorset and one on Teeside! Fingers crossed.
Daggers Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 However I don't think it's evidentially any harder because of government policies, but far more because of the local Labour councfil's decision-making. Bloody Labour, inventing the internet and Amazon and everything.
Finnegan Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 Some of the city council's decision making involving the market may not be ideal, I don't know, I'm no expert. But if you think a Tory council would invest any time or effort what so ever into the market - especially during times of austerity - you're a complete moron. Your problem, hence, isn't really with party politics but the individuals that happen to be responsible for the running of the market on an organizational level. And if you're really so passionate about it, Tony, and you really think you're full of better ideas - why not (and I can't believe I'm about to say this) take a leaf out of Ultra's book, put your money where your mouth is and run independantly for council? That or just stop ****ing bleating on about it on here, where literally nobody gives a flying about your stall.
Leicfox Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 If you need extra money while out of work... http://microworkers.com/index.php It's not bad and I've been getting around £20 a month and it all comes in handy.
Rincewind Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 The market idea was suggested to me. Being an accountant I aske my brother for his thoughts. He sent me this spreadsheet with the figures that I gave him. If they are wrong change them and maybe he'll have a look at any up dated figures but leave me out of it. Not allowed to upload the file. Market self employed..pdf
Daggers Posted 3 June 2012 Posted 3 June 2012 I was going to set up a stall this year - but you could buy my stock online cheaper than I could obtain it from the wholesalers who were all selling it, err, online.
Thracian Posted 4 June 2012 Posted 4 June 2012 The market idea was suggested to me. Being an accountant I aske my brother for his thoughts. He sent me this spreadsheet with the figures that I gave him. If they are wrong change them and maybe he'll have a look at any up dated figures but leave me out of it. Not allowed to upload the file. Sounds reasonable for the start-up period - and about double the standard benefit payment from what I gather. But that's from the £1000 input one might expect from a beginner. With the product from sales rapidly reinvested from six-days a week trading I'd be amazed - from having watched just such a stall in action alongside me - that you could possibly end a normal day with less than £200 profit, which would quickly allow for greater investment in quality and quantity.
Thracian Posted 4 June 2012 Posted 4 June 2012 I was going to set up a stall this year - but you could buy my stock online cheaper than I could obtain it from the wholesalers who were all selling it, err, online. The major customer base for end-of-role fabrics in Leicester is muslim women and they are clearly not all comfortable with online shopping given the numbers who turn up at the stall I was thinking about in broaching this subject. A generation further on and that might change. But, as it stands, I'd be confident of doing excellent trade for at least three-five years...quite enough time to think of either evolving or moving into something else. There are other lines too - part of the fun of being a trader is noticing what goes well and what doesn't, just in case you need to revise your own thinking. As for stock - well - it's no secret what the price needs to be so you're halfway there! Can't see why someone like yourself would ever work the markets though.There's no long holidays for market folk and you wouldn't sensibly go on strike if you're pissed off cos you'd still have to pay your stall rent and no-one would give a toss anyway. We don't close down cos it's snowing and, on bad days, while perhaps not earning a cent, we still have to deal with the same hassle. The public sector has much to commend it for all the irritations!
Daggers Posted 4 June 2012 Posted 4 June 2012 Can't see why someone like yourself would ever work the markets though. To earn some money?
Thracian Posted 4 June 2012 Posted 4 June 2012 Some of the city council's decision making involving the market may not be ideal, I don't know, I'm no expert. But if you think a Tory council would invest any time or effort what so ever into the market - especially during times of austerity - you're a complete moron. Your problem, hence, isn't really with party politics but the individuals that happen to be responsible for the running of the market on an organizational level. And if you're really so passionate about it, Tony, and you really think you're full of better ideas - why not (and I can't believe I'm about to say this) take a leaf out of Ultra's book, put your money where your mouth is and run independantly for council? That or just stop ****ing bleating on about it on here, where literally nobody gives a flying about your stall. Well the simple answer to that is that I don't live in the City and wouldn't qualify to run for the city council. And, having been briefly involved in party politics I was quickly disillusioned by the hypocrisy, dishonesty and self-serving bullshit I came across to the point where I quickly couldn't stand it or be party to it. But working nationally on behalf of market traders might be a different matter completely and you need never worry about me being prepared to stand my corner should the chance arise. I've stood plenty of standing corners in my time and the point isn't about whether my ideas would be better or not. The point would be about listening to what people had to say, evaluating those ideas and getting the right ideas through in the end...something Leicester Council makes a mockery of to the point that even Radio Leicester found it singularly difficult to find one single person to support the Market Corner project.
Tincy Posted 13 June 2012 Author Posted 13 June 2012 After being unemployed since December, i have now finally landed myself another job, working at Grosvenor House as a Security Maintence Operative starting Monday!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :beer: :beer: :beer:
Rincewind Posted 13 June 2012 Posted 13 June 2012 Interview tomorrow morning. may not hear anything definite but I think there are 150 places going. They might find something for me even if its making tea or cleaning lieus. I really don't mind. Only need do 16 hours if they offer a part time job. I am flexable to some extent.
Saxondale Posted 13 June 2012 Posted 13 June 2012 After being unemployed since December, i have now finally landed myself another job, working at Grosvenor House as a Security Maintence Operative starting Monday!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :beer: :beer: :beer: Well done mate, I know it's been a struggle for you.
Uncle Phil Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 I got the seasonal wardens job with the Torquay Coast and Countryside Trust. Combined with the cup draw this morning is been a bloody good day.
Fox92 Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 Didn't get the Tesco job. Unlucky Nightguard, how long have you been unemployed for? I'm going to JobCentre tomorrow afternoon (depressing), but struggling to fill that 'apply for three jobs a week booklet' in.
Craig Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 Didn't get the Tesco job. Just looked on your bio... Age 27 years old Birthday November 19, 1984 lolwhat?
Rincewind Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 A year now. Next visit I will be put on some scheme where they help me stay in a job. Some work program thing. Tesco said said because of the number of applicants they cannot give feedback. There were around 150 jobs going so how many applied? The woman interviewing me was a manager from another branch. Probably my age that did it. The want people that can do various roles throughout the store at all times of day and night. I was flexable with the times although I said I would be best suited to back of store role. They want people with them long term. They have their own pension schemes health schemes and other plans. Not much good for for somebody who may only do a couple of years.
Rincewind Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 Just looked on your bio... lolwhat? OK admit it I took a couple of years off.
Christoph Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 After being unemployed since December, i have now finally landed myself another job, working at Grosvenor House as a Security Maintence Operative starting Monday!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :beer: :beer: :beer: Get the f**king beers in! Get the f**king beers in!
Bluefoxtim Posted 14 June 2012 Posted 14 June 2012 If you're struggling, I'd say give volunteering a go. Shows that you're willing to put yourself out there, and looks as good if not better on a CV than some paid work. I graduated from Uni and I've been looking for work since November. Just landed a job with a salary of 23k - the voluntary work definitely helped my cause. Funnily enough I had another interview a month or two back for a similar role at 14k and was rejected! I really knuckled down on my interview prep this time though. I spent 5 whole days writing a report, preparing a presentation and making sure I knew more the about the business than the interviewers!
Rincewind Posted 15 June 2012 Posted 15 June 2012 doing voluntary work of a sort. Media stuff helping prepare and wreite stuff for a magazine for homeless As I have been told I only need do 16 hrs I will just look for that may be easier. Sec firm that is supposed to be offering me a job are stalling. They have not even contacted me saying whether they have all the details needed or give an update. Solicitor was going to write to them Monday. But that'll be 48 hrs. Not looking forward to it now. tesco would have been max 36 on a part time comtract I'll start to up my effort.
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