Culinary trailblazer Niall McKenna has told the monthly breakfast gathering of the West Belfast Small Business Roundtable that starting out in the restaurant business today is harder than ever.
Rising property taxes, a punitive VAT rate and increases in PAYE contributions have combined to make it particularly difficult for businesses starting out. But he also said a post-Covid search for a better work-life balance has also transformed the industry.
"When I was young and working the Michelin Star restaurants in London, I worked 80 hours a week, and enjoyed it because I was training," said McKenna, who founded James Street and Waterman with his wife Joanne. "But today, kitchen staff want to work 40 hours a week over four days and have the rest of the week off to live a full life."
And the former La Salle pupil credited an emphasis on entrepreneurship in the Andersonstown school for planting the seed which inspired him to set up his own business.
"It's amazing how many guys from my class went on to form their own companies," he said.
But the prizewinning chef warned that gains made for Belfast from the Fleadh were being damaged by the Drumcree standoff. "It's amazing," he said, "it's like someone just flicked a switch. We got a real bounce post-Fleadh but now everything has gone flat. We can track the drop-off in bookings immediately."
NEW CHAPTER: Niall McKenna is presented with a book on Belfast community architect Seán Mackel as a gesture of thanks from the Biz Circle
The West Belfast Business Roundtable convenes in An Chultúrlann each month to encourage networking among local entrepreneurs. Previous speakers have included Tina McKenzie of Staffline, Emer Hinphey of AAB and Kainos CEO Brendan Mooney.
