Sad and accurate. Energy bills + cost of living + the political event that cannot be named here and suddenly a traditional meal that we all expect to always be there and always be good value is just too expensive. Two small cod + chips is £20 near me these days.

Pubs are going the same way too. I don't mean the big soulless chains like Spoons but the smaller locals. Since COVID, 4 pubs in my town have closed, unable to compete. The ones that survived aren't cosy locals anymore, they survived by having themed events two or three times a week. I don't blame them but it seems the days of just nipping into the pub for a quiet pint or a chat with your neighbours are gone.