Restaurant owner says he has '30 days to save business'

A RESTAURANT owner says he only has 30 days to try and save his business as it faces "unsustainable pressures". Nathan Sparling, who owns city centre spot Mikaku, has launched a 30-day campaign to secure Japanese eatery's future. He says skyrocketing costs, unreliable public transport, city centre parking issues and the Employer National Insurance rise have piled on and are affecting restaurants across the city.

READ NEXT: Public told to avoid BBQs in parks amid extreme wildfire warning Nathan told the Glasgow Times: "I'm seeing at least one restaurant a week closing in Glasgow it seems and that's because the numbers simply don't add up. "When you add on the National Insurance Employers Contributions Rise, for a company like ours that has three venues that's £135,000 a year we have to find." Nathan says Mikaku has already had to put prices up in the last year because of rising supplier costs.



He says changes like the LEZ has meant suppliers had to change their vehicles in order to be compliant with the cost being passed onto the customer. He continued: "We've subsumed so many price increases to keep Mikaku as an affordable family-focused venue but there's only so much you can do. "We didn't want to just shut the doors as I don't think that's fair on the staff or customers.

" READ NEXT: Owner makes 'difficult decision' to sell play café just three months after opening In an effort to secure Mikaku's future and drive footfall, customers will receive 20% off all bills from Friday, April 11 as part of the 30 Days to Save Mikaku. It's hoped the campaign will drive customers through the door while also thanking those who choose to dine there. If they can't cant increase turnover, he says "the businesses will close in 30 days".

Nathan said: "Starting on Friday, everyone who visits us over the next 30 days will get 20% off their total bill. "It’s our way of saying thank you — and giving people a reason to come out, bring friends, and help us keep something amazing alive in the city centre." He continued: "We're trying to highlight how quickly someone's favourite venue could be gone.

"I'm not expecting immediate policy change but I'm hoping customers will come and support us." As well as serving up Japanese food, Mikaku also hosts Glasgow University's Japanese Society and hosts events with a master Japanese calligrapher. Nathan says they have also written to suppliers asking them to do a price review on some of their most popular products while they will look at slimming down the menu to focus on their most popular dishes.

He is now calling on Glasgow City Council to do more support hospitality venues by helping to improve public transport links and increase city centre footfall. He is also urging the Scottish Government and UK Government to implement policies that support the industry, particularly around energy costs and employer tax burdens. Nathan added: "We need to see change or venues like Mikaku won't be there anymore.

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