York independent businesses say 2023 will be a make or break year
Many are bracing themselves for another tough 12 months
As the cost of living continues to bite, independent business owners in York say they're desperate for a brighter 2023.
Many families have cut back their spending to try and make ends meet.
But that's hitting the profits of businesses like the Spicy Bakers Food Van.
Soneeta Bhondi owns it, and tells us they've been feeling the pressure: "2023 is a real concern of mine, not just for me but my family as well, so I'm really concerned about how my small business is going to survive. I'm just so panicked trying to save money in every way I can. It's just very disheartening because this is not what I got into business for."
As well as customers cutting back, Soneeta tells us costs to run the business has spiralled: " You'd be very foolish to think your business hasn't been impacted by the cost of living crisis at the moment, for instance the cost of our oil has tripled, so it's gone up so significantly that we've had to put that cost onto the customers. It's a regrettable decision but there is no way my business will survive unless we do that."