Blues bite businesses

All those resolutions leave businesses feeling the pinch as their customers strive to save money, be healthier and drink less.

At the Old Colonial in Mirfield January is a typically tough month. Landlord Tom Wood said it was it usual to see a downturn at the start of the year.

He said: “People are skint after Christmas, but in this economic climate we are still very desperate.

“We are teetering on the brink of a recession, and people are seeing pubs as a bit of a treat rather than a normal occurrence.”

Fewer people are also walking through the doors of local takeaways, which fish shop owner Anne Thompson said was down to the New Year fad diet. “We’ll be all right once January’s over,” she said.

Anne, who owns Sea Spray Fisheries in Birstall with husband Michael, said money was also a factor which was seeing customer numbers declining.

With people watching the pounds in both senses of the word, Doyle’s Fisheries in Cleckheaton agreed January had been quiet: “People are skint, it’s a simple as that.”

But one business is reaping the benefit of the pledge to a healthier lifestyle.

Kirklees Active Leisure has reported a increase of more than 1,000 new gym memberships.