A Derbyshire tea shop owner has revealed the "reality of being a small business owner in 2026" after her daily takings fell to just £7.80.
Gail Hannan, 57, shared her experience on social media, where her post was viewed more than 3.9 million times on Facebook and shared on TikTok and Instagram. She told her followers: "Not every day is a good day. Today we took £7.80. One customer. The sun was shining but it certainly wasn't shining on the Cup and Saucer."
Nine years of running the Cup and Saucer
Hannan has run the tea room in Clay Cross, Derbyshire for nine years, catering to loyal locals, walkers and tourists heading to the nearby Peak District. She received countless messages of support after going public about the challenges she faces.
She said: "I did not expect the post to go viral. But so many places are shutting down and I think that is so sad. That's why I posted it and it clearly touched a nerve. There is no consistency for business, you can never predict when you will have a busy day and you lose money by scheduling staff when you don't need them."
Rising costs and exhausted owner
Hannan has had to lay off staff because of rising business costs and is "exhausted" covering the extra hours herself. She covers £475-a-month in rent and staff costs for one part-time worker and two Saturday staff. She recently cut one full-time position and one part-time role.
"We desperately need those staff members," she added. "I cannot afford to pay them. I am exhausted covering the extra work. Everything is a real struggle. But you cannot raise prices, so the profit margin is constantly shrinking. I am just breaking even. Over the past three months, I worked for £2.46-an-hour. People wonder why. But I started this from nothing, and it is my passion."
Mum-of-two Gail, who lives in North Wingfield in Derbyshire, added: "The message of the post was to support your local businesses. It is a labour of love. Some days I think that I need to stop doing this, I am wearing myself out and I am exhausted. But I started this from nothing years ago, so I cannot give it up. We have one really bad day every week, not as bad as that day last week. When there are no customers, your profit margin shrinks, and since you cannot raise prices, you end up just breaking even."
Award-winning teas and family support
Hannan was recognised for her teas with an award from Muddy Stilettos, and people travel "from far and wide" to visit the tea room. She said: "This time last year I had one full time, two part-time, and two Saturday staff members. Now I just have one part-time and two Saturday staff members. That is why I am exhausted because I have had to take on all that extra work. I desperately need them but I cannot afford to pay the new wages, the National Minimum wage and NI contributions. You have to contribute to tax and pension, so it goes up from £12-an-hour to £16-an-hour. People don't realise that."
Her husband Chris, 56, is nicknamed "Mr Cup and Saucer" as he washes pots on Saturdays and does deliveries. Their children Abigail, 38, and Jessica, 35, help out; their pet dog Basil, a cocker spaniel, is popular with customers who love the doggie 'afternoon teas'. Gail added: "It is ever so funny, two tiny sausage dogs come in regularly and just stare at me all the time until they are fed."
A Government spokesman said: "We know some businesses are facing cost pressures, but we are making the business environment work better for companies of all sizes through our Small Business Plan, action on late payments and a £4.3 billion business rates support package. Our economy thrives when people have a wage they can count on, which is why we increased the National Minimum and Living Wage to support the lowest paid. We have asked the Low Pay Commission to take impacts on businesses into account when making future recommendations."
