Government ‘should not forget about SMEs’ in the upcoming budget

The Butler's Pantry managing director Jacquie Marsh has said the Government should not forget about SMEs in the upcoming budget. She said two issues that could have a big impact on SMEs are the minimum wage and upward-only rent reviews.

“If the minimum wage goes up, the competitiveness of small employers will be affected. Every pay level will rise, and SMEs are not ready for that. We’ll all struggle,” she said.

“Also, if we’re hit by a rent increase now, I’m not sure we’ll be able to take it. Those two things would put huge pressure on The Butler’s Pantry. And any SME within the retail sector would say the same.”

Ms Marsh is the managing director of food company, The Butler's Pantry. She partnered with the company's "foodie" founder Eileen Bergin in 2000, when the business had only three shops.

Over the last 14 years, Marsh has turned The Butler’s Pantry from an owner-operated business into a brand with ten shops and 105 employees.

She thinks the Government initiative of bringing back the high street should be continued.

“It’s about getting the heart back into the towns of Ireland. Poor planning had this doughnut effect - all the big stores were on the outskirts of towns, and small businesses were disenfranchised. The right retail mix in a town brings life back into it. It’s good for business, good for customers and good for the community as well.”

Jacquie Marsh will be speaking at the AIB Start-up Night in Dublin on Thursday, October 9th.