North West festive focus: Mike Gannon, Out of Eden

As the North West’s business leaders tie the bow on a frenetic year and prepare for a hard-earned festive break, Bdaily North West has asked movers and shakers in the region to give their verdict on 2016 and tell us their hopes and fears for the new year ahead.

Up today is Mike Gannon, managing director of Kirkby Stephen-based hospitality supplier Out of Eden, who gives us his views on the last 12 months and reveals what goodies he’s hoping to find under his tree.

What are you most proud of achieving in 2016?

We installed a new mezzanine floor over our picking hall while continuing operations throughout the project. The way the team dealt with the change and the disruption was fantastic.

Which was your busiest month, and why?

July was our busiest month. It usually is, but we surprised even ourselves this year by just how busy we were. Our customers in the hospitality trade are of course exceptionally busy through the school summer holidays and this means we are busy too, supporting them.

What are your thoughts on Brexit so far?

It was surprise result to us and perhaps many others. The resulting uncertainty has been challenging to deal with, to say the least. The currency fluctuations have been eye watering on occasion. Thankfully in our business the trend of more visitors from overseas to tourist hot spots and for people in the UK to holiday at home rather than abroad – (Staycation as it has been dubbed) – have both worked in our favour. I don’t think any of us can be complacent though and we are expecting more surprises as the process and the story of Brexit unfolds. Even the so-called experts can’t tell us what is going to happen so many of just have to wait and see!

What are you most looking forward to in 2017?

The challenge of everyday business. Making small improvements wherever we can. Sustaining and developing a great family-owned business in the heart of Cumbria. Making a difference to our customers.

What will be your biggest obstacle next year?

Uncertainty, space to grow, and more and more online competition. We will need to put our prices up as so many of our suppliers are doing so with us. However, we need to absorb as much of this impact as we can for our customers and be absolutely fair and transparent in the way we do it. Getting this balance right will be very challenging.

What’s the outlook like for your sector over the next 12 months?

If I knew this I would start selling horoscopes!

We are optimistic by nature so will continue in that manner until there is loads of evidence to the contrary. We just don’t know if the recent trends described above of strong numbers of overseas visitors and ‘Staycation’ will continue or not.

Tell me about your staff Christmas night-out

It’s at the end of this week (w/c December 5). Last year was brilliant and I am sure this year will be too. I can hear the Birdy song in my head already.

What’s the best date in December to put decorations up? How early is too early?

Our team wait for December 1st with bated breath and as soon as they come into work start emptying desk drawers and putting lights up over their desks. Anything before December is too early – the 1st feels right to us, as it is only 24 sleeps to go.

What are you hoping to get from Father Christmas? What’s your Tracy Island/Buzz Lightyear this year?

I won’t get it - but a ‘Sonos’ wireless speaker system throughout the house would be amazing. If you can’t imagine ‘what if’ at Christmas when can you?