Ipswich small business owner says he's at 'tipping point'

He wants the next government to do more to support small businesses

Ipswich Waterfront
Author: Jasmine OakPublished 2nd Jul 2024

A small business owner in Suffolk is urging the next government to help them with rising costs.

With just days until the general election, Kie Humphreys, who owns Coffee Cat in Ipswich says his business is at a tipping point - and he needs help to survive: "The food inflation, energy inflation and pay inflation are really feeding into how we need to meet that bottom line in order to make our business viable."

He told us lots of small businesses are just getting by, rather than flourishing: "We're at a tipping point.

"The government really needs to support small businesses so we can keep on growing, and keeping up with employment in the local area."

At the moment, the strain in these areas means Kie is having to find alternative ways of saving money, including potentially decreasing staff hours: "Staff efficiencies are having to be found, which unfortunately means there's likely to be a decrease in staff hours."

He explained what he'd like the next government do to support businesses like his: "I really think if there's a reduction in corporation tax then that could really help push growth and help getting big and small businesses investing more into new technologies."

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