Leyla Aslan and her brother have been running Camia Cafe in Stoke Newington for 16 years, but now face significant challenges as rising costs and competition put pressure on their business. Despite the busy area, Leyla notes they cannot afford staff due to increased National Minimum Wage, National Insurance, and business rates. She highlights the difficulty of living in an area where housing prices have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for small business owners like herself to own property. Her remarks highlight the broader strain felt by local enterprises and the impact of economic changes on their viability.
Leyla said: "It's hard for business owners. Business rates have gone up and the competition has got tougher. The rents are high already. We feel like we're working for councils and landlords, not for ourselves."
Leyla added: "We can't afford to have staff, we don't earn that well, we manage by ourselves. We had staff in the past but it's hard to justify now."
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