Anyone seen a recession yet?

[Fred Bloggs]

Yes I agree. We have held onto our 3 year old car instead of upgrading. The local dealer has called us to ask where were and why we weren't buying. That's £12k taken out of the local economy straight off.

We haven't booked a single holiday for next year, normally we would book two.

We spoke to a firm in Manchester last week about a Sky box repaired and the lady on the reception said they were getting made redundant next week.

Contractors have got laid off from local employers here in the NW. A friendly agency rang me last week asking if I had any warm leads, he said he had just 1 job on his books for the NW region. My rate is now being undercut by ~£10 an hour on the same job for new starters. This is the only job with any real prospects locally. Luckily I was in first so I have most of the "knowledge" sewn up. It's grim.

[realityhack]

In Twickenham, several local shops are struggling and 6 have closed down. The butchers, grocers, a greetings cards shop, two gift shops and the toy store. Roseby's (bedding, curtains and the like) is having a closing down sale. It's not looking good on the high street here.

Some of the contractors at clientco are looking around and finding it difficult - mostly agencies fishing for leads or low paid work. One lad (who admittedly has quite a niche skillset) is only seeing permie jobs, no contract work around for his skillset.

[TheBigYinJames]

Roseby's (bedding, curtains and the like) is having a closing down sale.

Roseby's is ALWAYS closing down.

[Diver]

I lent my brother a tenner yesterday, it turns out I'm now listed Britain's fourth biggest lender

[Diver]

One of my cheques bounced yesterday. "Insufficient Funds"

The banks must be in a really bad way

[Clippy]

One of my cheques bounceed yesterday. "Insufficient Funds"

The banks must be in a really bad way

Please don't tell me you are going to be here all week.

[TykeMerc]

Don't try the veal either, it's crap.

[Diver]

Please don't tell me you are going to be here all week.

Result

[MarillionFan]

I've got to admit, there's a massive difference in Sunderland - has been noticable for the last 3 - 6 months.
Thursday and Friday nights the pubs are empty, and Saturdays are only marginally better.
Durham is exactly thr same.

So the very poor are being hit hard - spare cash which would have gone on drinking (in the North East that tends to be people's "treat" money) is now going on utilities/fuel costs/etc There's just no money left for pubs and entertainment.

There've been a few restaraunts and quite a few pubs close - scarey times.

Love it. Everyone else is looking at unemployment, SA is looking at booze and food. Classic.

[Diver]

In Wales, farmers have reported a massive drop in sheep molestation.

People just can't afford the fuel to drive up into the hill country any more.

Farmers now intend to move the flocks into the lower pastures as an aid to the community.

The move has been hailed as a great benefit to the community by the sheep worriers society of Wales.