Three years ago Ramsgate mum-of-one Maria Goldfinch took the helm of The New Old Bakehouse in Broadstairs High Street.

Maria had previously worked for 23 years at the Canterbury Christ Church University campuses in Broadstairs and then Canterbury before taking a job at the bakehouse under then owner Gary Gould.

She was given the opportunity by Gary to become the new owner and manager on May 15, 2023 and has since dedicated herself to providing great food and great service to her customers.

But the 45-year-old says this year is looking tougher than ever, not just for her but also other small businesses in the town.

She said: “Coming up to three years and I have really noticed the change in footfall in Broadstairs, it does not seem as busy.

“We do the season- April to September- but the community is really important to us as they are the ones that keep us afloat all year.

“It is hard though as people are not spending as much now and I think businesses are struggling. It’s really worrying that places might end up shutting.”

Maria says an accumulated rise in costs is also impacting businesses, including the newest round of commercial rateable values.

In the November budget, the Chancellor announced that from this month, the new rateable value of commercial properties would kick in and some business rate relief schemes would be reduced.

Revaluations are carried out every three years in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market.

The council uses rateable values and a multiplier method to calculate business rate bills – generally based on an estimate of the annual rent the property could get on the open market.

Maria said: “At HMRC I am one business but the valuation office classes me as two business units because there is a shared corridor with tenants of the flats and so I have to pay two lots of rates.

“The MP Polly Billington did work with me a lot on this but it didn’t get me very far in the end.”

Maria says she has also been hit by the rise in national insurance and minimum wage.

On April 1, the National Living Wage (for those 21+) increased 4.1% to £12.71 per hour. Younger workers (18-20) saw an 8.5% rise to £10.85, while the rate for 16-17 year olds/apprentices rose to £8.00. Employer National Insurance Class 1A rates are 15% for 2025/26 with the earnings threshold at which employers started paying NIC lowered from £9,100 per year to £5,000.

Although the better rates are welcome for raising the living standards of employees, they have put pressure on businesses.

Maria said: “When I first started I had about six staff but I just can’t afford that now so have two staff and myself and my uni girls that come in for the summer.

“I’m staying afloat because I do outside catering, which I promote a lot. This doesn’t just affect me, I’m speaking for all of us businesses that are feeling the crunch. Costs are going sky high but trade is down.”

Maria says she now faces an additional cost from Thanet council for a pavement licence covering chairs and tables she has outside The New Old Bakehouse.

She said: “They are only out from April to September and I’m not actually on the pavement as half is private land and half is council land.

“I feel councils should be more supportive of businesses rather than just making money out of them.”

Maria says actions that would help local businesses include free parking in town areas and making sure public toilets are open.

She added: “I think we should all come together as businesses and promote each other within our towns.

“We need to recommend other businesses to our customers as they are all part of our town. We need to collaborate and support each other.”

The New Old Bakehouse offers customer favourites such as handmade speciality spelt bread, handmade cream teas and daily specials of pastries and coffees.

Other options include sandwiches, rolls or baguettes, lunches, breakfasts from Full English to Continental, and avocado on toast, cakes and much more.

The business also caters for events from weddings and parties to business meetings.

The New Old Bakehouse is at 15 High Street, Broadstairs.

Find it online here