THE owner of a bar chain in the borough has explained the difficult decision to introduce price increases at all of his branches last week.

David Leape, the owner of BrewChimp, announced the price increases in a post on social media on February 8.

The bar chain, which started in Urmston three and a half years ago, has seen a rapid rise to success in spite of the impact of coronavirus.

It now has three branches in Trafford, another one in Salford, and even an Indian restaurant.

However, 'a perfect storm' of Brexit, plus the cost of supplies and utilities, means BrewChimp is in the midst of its toughest time since it opened.

Messenger Newspapers: BrewChimp started in Urmston three and a half years ago (Image: BrewChimp).BrewChimp started in Urmston three and a half years ago (Image: BrewChimp).

David, who was born and bred in Stretford, said: "We don't know what's around the corner.

"We seem to have the support of the community, but how long is it going to last?

"We'll have to see where we get to, play it week by week. We're on tenterhooks."

Among the rises described by David are the cost of petrol, which is pushing £1.50 per litre, and an electricity bill which has more than doubled.

The price increases at the bars are an attempt to address these rises, although he admits this is still not enough.

On one bitter which has been £3 for three and half years, he said: "We've had to put 10 per cent on it. It needed to be 20 per cent, but I felt bad even at 10 per cent."

David has been in a similar situation before. A former owner of the Moulin Rouge in Stretford, he had to close it in the financial crisis of 2008.

He thinks another crisis is around the corner, albeit one he is better prepared to pull through.

He said: "We're heading into a recession. A lot of people are struggling. [BrewChimp] is in a fortunate position because people drink when they're happy and drink when they're sad."

As for who to blame for the situation, David is certain. He believes Boris Johnson and his government are too involved in scandals such as 'partygate' to address the important issues.

He said: "I blame the government. They aren't governing. They spend too much time arguing about who did what, rather than dealing with issues."

"They've created a perfect storm and taken their eye off the ball."