By Andy Winter

Brighton Housing Trust

 

Andy Williams sang of Christmas: ‘It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’.

I personally love the Christmas period because, unlike many members of staff at Brighton Housing Trust, I am on leave and can relax, see family, cook, read, and watch cricket from South Africa. For many of my colleagues, this is one of their busiest periods. For some of our clients, Christmas is the opposite of a happy family time it is a painful reminder of what they don't have. For many retail businesses, Christmas can be a mixed blessing.

A successful trading year depends on successful seasonal sales. Last week HMV revealed that its early Christmas sales have plummeted below expectations. There is a danger that it will breach its banking covenants early next year and its board has said that there is "material uncertainty which may cast doubt upon the group's ability to continue as a going concern". For many small, independent businesses there are anxieties about their futures as going concerns. For them, as with HMV, this hopefully will be the most wonderful time of the year. It certainly is the most critical time of the year.

From mediaeval times in England there have been in the calendar four Quarter Days: Lady Day, Midsummer, Michaelmas, and Christmas. Traditionally these have been days when accounts are settled and, typically with commercial properties, these are the rent days. Poor sales coupled with rent day can tip many businesses over the edge. Those who do profit massively from the seasonal spend-fest are the likes of Amazon, in spite of recent negative coverage regarding its corporation tax arrangements. It is HMV and small independents who may pay the ultimate price.

I would echo the advice of others – to browse on Amazon and then buy the actual books from independents such as Kemptown Bookshop in St George's Road or City Books in Western Road, Hove. And while you are about it, can I recommend other independent shops like the treasure trove that is Pen to Paper in Sydney Street, the co-operative Infinity Foods in North Road, and the quirky, yet classy One in the House in Trafalgar Street.

A final plea is to remember those shops near my office in London Road that may be struggling. Brighton and Hove has a wonderful retail sector, providing many thousands of jobs, and acting as a magnet for visitors. Cafes and bars are doing well, but without the attraction of the large number of fascinating independents, the city would be much the poorer.

May I wish you a happy Christmas and prosperous new year.