The owner of an award-winning Derbyshire tea room has been left disheartened after her "worst day yet" saw just a single customer walk through the doors.
Cup and Saucer was crowned the best destination for afternoon tea in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by Muddy Stilettos earlier this year — with the establishment in Clay Cross also reaching the final of the inaugural Derbyshire Dines awards in 2025.
However, following just one customer visiting on Thursday, October 1 and spending £7.80, owner Gail Hannan finds herself questioning what more she can do to keep the business going.
Unpredictability from one day to the next
Yet it isn't entirely bleak at Cup and Saucer; on a typical day Gail runs a smooth ship — but she says it's the unpredictability from one day to the next that results in some days being "dead", reports Derbyshire Live.
"We're often busy with our afternoon teas," said Gail. "But it's just become so much harder to make ends meet. When we first opened nine years ago at our previous base, it was far easier to make money - but now I barely make anything at all, we're just keeping the doors open really.
"People don't realise the costs that are involved in running a business, regardless of how big or small you are."
Gail explains that it isn't merely the price of tea, electricity and food — even waste disposal costs have rocketed. "We're being hit by soaring costs in every aspect of the business," she remarked.
'Better than Betty's'
The vintage tea room, which numerous reviewers claim is "better than Betty's" - the renowned tea room in Harrogate - accommodates just a dozen patrons inside and takes pride in its quintessentially British heritage.
Initially launching with cakes and teas, it has gradually evolved into a cafe and shop, offering everything from cups and saucers (as one would expect with such a name) to cutlery, hampers and preserves - alongside, naturally, an extensive selection of tea.
While some days bring healthy takings and a consistent flow of customers, what occurred last week is becoming more frequent.
"It's the inconsistency that hurts us. If we knew we were going to be quiet, we'd shut early, but we just cannot do that on the off chance that someone will come," Gail explained.
"The last thing we want is to let people down - our reputation means so much to us. We could have a terrible day on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, we're too busy and have to turn people away all day because we haven't got enough room.
"So then you go, 'Oh, Wednesday's busy. Next week we'll make extra cakes, we'll do extra stuff, we'll get an extra member of staff in,' and then the following Wednesday is absolutely dead."
Customers cutting back
However, Gail maintains it's not solely about expenses - patrons themselves are reducing their dining and drinking habits. "People just haven't got the money anymore, but there's nothing being done to help us," she said.
"It's a nationwide thing and sadly a sign of the times. We'll keep the doors open, we have no plans of going anywhere, but a little bit of support from the Government every now and then wouldn't do us any harm."
