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EDITOR’S COMMENT | DECEMBER

THINGS

COULD ICK-START

PUBLISHING L TD
ALWAYS BE WORSE PUBLISHING L TD

AYING ‘things could always be worse’ may in there for business. But it’s hard not to wonder
Ssound a little downbeat, but it’s a lot more where we might be if the previous leadership
realistic than sinking into full Victor Meldrew- were still in charge.
style pessimism. And given the twists and turns Still, as I said, things could always be worse. PUBLISHING L TD
this year has thrown at us in politics and the In fact, it’s a testament to the resilience of our 01892 752400
economy, many might feel the temptation to do economy – and our country – that GDP hasn’t info@contractflooringjournal.co.uk
exactly that. collapsed and that we’re, broadly speaking, still CFJMagazine
The fact remains: things could always be in one piece. cfj.contractflooringjournal
worse. We’re not in a recession, there’s no With Christmas and the New Year just www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
military conflict on our soil, and for many around the corner, it’s a good moment to look
flooring businesses, profits have still been made on the bright side. As we continue under this EDITOR
David Strydom
despite challenging business taxes and ongoing government for the foreseeable future, there’s david@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
PUBLISHING L TD
economic uncertainty. hope that lessons have been learned over the
Of course, there’s still plenty to grumble about. past few years, and that our economy – including SALES MANAGER
John Miller
Just this morning (and I appreciate there’s a lag the construction and flooring sectors – is treated john.miller@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
between me writing this and you picking it up as the vital resource it is. EDITORIAL ADMINISTRATION
to read), a report in This is Money noted that For those in the flooring industry, there are Elaine Chance
Labour’s plans to ‘build, baby, build’ have hit a reasons to be cautiously optimistic: business and elaine.chance@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
stumbling block, with the construction sector profits can improve, and the housing market is PRODUCTION
shrinking for the ninth consecutive month amid likely to pick up as policy and investment adjust. Nick Dann
ongoing budget uncertainty. The closely watched There’s every reason not to despair. So, as the 01892 575564
purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the sector festive season approaches, take some well- copy@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
gave a reading of 46.2 for September – up slightly earned rest, enjoy the holidays, and remember: DESIGN
from 45.5 in August, but still below the 50-mark things could always be worse! Nick Ellis
that separates growth from contraction. nick@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
Employment levels in construction have also WEB DESIGN
been cut for the ninth month in a row – the Neil Owen
longest continuous decline since the pandemic. David neil@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
By the time you read this, the chancellor will MANAGING DIRECTOR
have held her autumn budget, and who knows David Strydom, editor Stuart Bourne
– there may even have been something positive 07983 266683 stuart.bourne@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
CEO
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, John Heath
electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information retrieval system without the prior written john.heath@kick-startpublishing.co.uk
consent of the publisher. © Kick-Start Publishing Ltd. Print managed by Stephens & George Limited, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

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