How are you supposed to run a business?

It has been an interesting, frustrating and frankly surreal few weeks for us.

It seems that our government, via it;s "local agencies" are now on an agenda to simply strangle small businesses by forcing "new rules and regulations" on them that most cannot afford and, if they can, misleading them so that precious resources are squandered by simply lying about the "rules".

We run (and have done for many years) a Backpackers Hostel, which is popular, well attended and profitable.

A couple of months ago, we received a letter from the local council stating that they were going to do an inspection, because we were a "house of Multiple Occupancy" - they also send letters to the occupants of the 4 flats at the hostel. We did point out that the house had been a hotel since 1878 and, at no time was ever considered to be flats and the letters sent to the "occupants" of the flats could not be delivered - because we were a Backpackers Hostel (a fact they knew, as we were charged business rates on that basis). Nevertheless, he insisted on coming to "check" that we were not lying.

He arrived, with our local, brand new Fire Officer - who decided to take a great interest in the place (despite the fact that 5 years ago we were checked, found to be well above requirements and had the badge they gave us displayed on the wall at the entrance), At that meeting, he suggested that we may need some upgrades to comply with "new regulations" and our fire alarm must be checked - and suggested a company (and gave us the number to phone). He left saying that he would come back in a week or two to discuss these matters. So we phoned the company he suggested and got them to check the fire alarm (which we know works fine). They did not check anything, produced a report condemning it (the details of which we have since proven to be a complete lie) and sent us a quote for a new system.

When Mr new fire officer arrived, he already seemed to have a copy of this "report" (I did think this a bit odd) and, based on this and the fact that our certified 1 hour fire doors did not have a "kite mark" on them, decided that the same place that passed with flying colours a few years before was an immediate danger to life and served us with a prohibition notice - closing us. These notices are usually only used in emergencies where the situation could literally blow up - not in places that are not only safe, but protected by a sometimes over active fire alarm (we know this from experience). Yet, as he was new to the job, he decided to throw his toys out of the pram and prove that he had the power to close us "on a whim". He did explain that we could appeal to a magistrates' court (which would have cost thousands and taken forever).

Despite wanting to simply kill him with the nearest blunt instrument, we decided to "bite the bullet" and get on with the work. This entailed replacing all of our 1 hour fire doors with new 30 minute fire doors (at leat the people dying could look at the kite mark!!), many of which needed new frames. The fie alarm however was a different "kettle of fish". Being a Grade II listed building, we could not allow surface run cables (otherwise the listing "tree huggers" would be round telling us to remove it all), so it would take a while for this to be arranged and installed. Being good citizens, we call Mr new fire officer back, showed him all the horrid new fire doors and the other small items required and set about disproving the "report" on the fire alarm (to the point where he had to ask us to switch it off - as he couldn't actually talk to us - bear in mind, this was the same alarm that the "recommended company" said did not work) and he accepted that, the only problem was that the house was 3 metres too big to be a single zone and therefore did not comply fully with the "new rules". We suggested that we could, in the interim, install another, wireless "cascading" system (basically radio linked smoke detectors that, once one goes off, they all do) and, he agreed that this would be sufficient to allow us to re-open. So, we spent around £500 (in addition to the thousands we had already spent on fire doors and the like) on buying the system, so we could open for last weekendm when we were fully booked.

On Thursday last, we were phoned by the fire service. They explained that Mr new fire officer was away on a course and they wanted to know when to come and inspect to lift the prohibition order. We explained that the additional detectors would not be in place till Friday morning and were met with "What additional detectors"? We explained and were told that, in no way would these be acceptable and the there was no chance that the notice would be lifted. When we asked why, we were simply told "because we say so" and no matter what we said or did made the slightest difference. I asked what the hell we were supposed to do with 31 people who were arriving at 1am Saturday morning and was told, "refer then to us".

On Friday, I sent no less than 10 urgent emails and made around 5 telephone calls to the fire service (as there was no way we could contact the guests) - all of which were ignored (and have been so far), asking what arrangements the fire service to accommodate these guests. The ONLY comment I received was that "if you allow them into the building, you will be arrested".

So, at 12:15am Saturday morning, I received a phonecall from our guests and had to explain to them that they had nowhere to stay. To cut a long story short, despite having a fully functional Hostel, ready to take guests and protected by two fire alarms, and having NEVER had a fire since 1878, we ended up with most of them "crashing" on the floor in our 3 bedroom house - while the 32 bed, centrally heated Hostel with a huge kitchen, computer room and massive dining room stayed empty - simply because "they said so".

The fact that Mr new fire officer, it would appear, told us information that was factually incorrect (otherwise our efforts would have been otherwise directed) and the fact that, under contract law, it was the legal responsibility of the fire department to arrange alternative accommodation, the chose to simply ignore it all.

How, in the name of sanity, is one suppose to actually run a business when those who impose these increasingly idiotic rules simply have no idea of what they are doing? It seems that, even if you move heaven and earth to comply with them (as we did), comply with everything you are asked to comply with, they simply change the "game plan" and you find that your efforts (and those of many other people) are for nothing.

This idiot who issued this notice should NEVER have done so and it was easily within his remit not to, he should have issued an enforcement notice, giving us 28 days to come "up to code" (as is normal). Because he simply does not understand his job, we are around £5000 the poorer in lost revenue and probably around the same amount in wasted effort (we had to pay a premium to get the work done so quickly) - and it should NEVER have happened.

Because this idiot did not know how to do his job, we are around £10,000 out of pocket and who knows how our reputation has been damaged.

So far as his email of the "Fire Service taking full responsibility for our guests" is concerned, despite the fact that they knew of the problem on Saturday morning (which, at our expense we dealt with), there is no sign of them even having acknowledged or made an effort to honour the responsibility that they promised and undertook to do - they have simply chosen to ignore it - and us.

How, in the face of such lunacy, is one supposed to run a business?

Sure as hell beats me.

Some ramblings about Cameron and the rest

You know, I sometimes set out writing comments and wonder "why the hell do I bother"?
All I ever read about is the "spin", "lies" and "fudged truth" about what is happening in this grey, miserable and blighted country that I call home.
With the possible exception of UKIP, no-one in politics is actually standing up and saying "this is not right - it's not how this country should be". Most of the general public are saying this but, they are not given a second thought. The are given a choice of "more of the same" - just choose which ties the wear and which logo they adhere to.
Cameron, Blair, Brown, Mandy, Clegg - they are just chant the same mantra - with a few words changed here and there to show how "different they are". They are NOT - they all simply wish to get to the trough, make as much money out of us as they can, cover it all with propaganda and, more or less, sell us into slavery.
The recent EU lunacy and the facile reactions of all but UKIP, to me, clearly demonstrates that they are all "in it for what they can get" - the man in the street is unimportant - other than being the "workhorse" for their personal enrichment.
We need, nay - we DEMAND a political party that puts itself squarely behind the continuation of this as a sovereign country and pledges to transform it from a drab, scared, worried and grey country to a good, secure and happy place to live.
It's pretty simple when you think about it. People as simply sick and tired of the "status quo" - because it is not what we want or deserve. WE need to ignite the country, it's people to get back to work, get back to believing that hard work will be rewarded and get some national pride back.
To do that needs a dynamic, charismatic and,above all, HONEST and dedicated leader - who believes in THIS country - and not simply being an "area" of Europe - governed by unelected, faceless and unaccountable "commissioner", who cannot be deposed, held accountable or even identified. People who vote themselves obscene amounts of money - OUR money.

I don't see anyone, with the possible exception of UKIP, who come close to offering what we want.

No wonder then that, when faced with a vote, most people think "what is the point, the government always get in". They want, demand and deserve someone to actually stand up and offer true leadership - and we are almost out of time now.

David Cameron is NOT what we are looking for. Nor is Nick Clegg, Mandy, or Brown. You know, I am a disabled 56 year old, with no experience of politics, no experience of public speaking, not very good with words and terrified of what is coming but, for all that, I would be willing (if anyone would back me) to have a go at offering the people of this country what they want. Purely because I don't feel I could do a worse job than ANYTHING that is on "offer" now.

Paul

Should I be Miss World? I want world peace??

I read an artcile in the Daily Mail tonight - about a chimp who had taken over "motherly" duties for a young Puma. She learned how to do it and decided "this is the job for me". I could not help but feel both lifted and sad reading the story.

Have a read.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1210084/Ill-mummy-little-kitty-cat-Anjana-chimp-shows-parenting-skills--puma-cub.html

Below is the comment I wrote for the DM - which may or may not appear but - it's what I think and I hope you can see the "bitter sweet" irony and tragedy in my comments.

I read stories such as this with a mixture of love, hope and despair. Anjana is fulfilled, caring and happy in her role. She demonstrates true compassion and love in her self appointed "work" and is, no doubt, very good at what she does. She cares nothing about the exchange rates, flu pandemics or the global warming myth - she simply has a job to look after an animal that needs her help and will benefit from her far superior intelligence. She is, in short, a role model to all of us and, for that, I feel love and hope when I read about her. The despair comes in when I contrast her life to the mess we, as a species have made of ours. Our natural instincts are far more leaning toward those of Anjana - yet, because of how we have allowed ourselves to be "led", virtually none of us can act in such a natural way - because it doesn't make money and how stupid is that really? I know that apes, like us, are fiercely territorial and can be cruel - but they don't build weapons, purely to kill as many of their own species as possible - simply to enrich and empower a few. They don't form "secret" societies, force others to pay for them and refuse to explain what they have used our time and labour for. They don't even understand what a bank balance is, let alone appear willing to destroy their environment and that of other members of their species, simply so they can have more money. They don't blindly follow their "leaders" when it is clear that, to do so, could lead to their deaths. We DO - and that is why, when I read artciles such as this, I cry for the "ordinary" members of our species who's ambitions are far closer to those of Anjana than those who purport to "lead" us. Most of us just want to work to provide for our families and enkoy the fact that we have the intellect to make our environment far more comfortable than most other animals - instead of living in "leader" driven fear and the insane pace we are forced to live our lives at.

£10K a year better off if you are not a FAMILY?

It appears that, if one wishes to live as a family - you know, Mum, Dad and Kids all living happily in the same house, then, under the insane "rules" imposed by those charged (and paid very well thank you very much) to look after OUR interests, families are punished by having to pay around £10,000 A YEAR so they can all live together.

To me, it makes no difference if this is situation is the result of stupidity or policy - it is, in my mind, the most idiotic and unlawful situation that has ever existed in this country - in it's entire history.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1203553/Families-10-000-better-break-Labours-tax-benefits.html

Read the article and form your own opinions.

Spread the word and decide if this government actually is lawful, actually has the right (under our law) to even think that they have the right to continue to govern,

A government may only govern with the acceptance and agreement of those governed - that is the law. They may not, under any circumstances, take decisions and pass legislation that results in anything other than the improvement and comfort of those whom it represents. If it is docovered that it is acting in its own interests and those interests are against the general interests of the population, then, at that moment, under our laws, they cease to be a government and assume the role of rulers - an act of treason which, under rules passed (unlawfully) by them, is no longer punishable by death - but still remains the highest crime that can be committed.

To me, I find it simply beyond my comprehension that the people of this country continue to give this non government the trappings of power when, in reality, they have no mandate and it can be demonstrated clearly that they are clearly criminal in actions, thoughts and intent and should be arrested at once.

Families being punished at the rate of £10K a year for simply living together and bringing up their kids in a natural environment is a crime against everything that this country has ever stood for - yet, most of us simply shrug and say "it's the law - what can we do"? It's not the law, it's a crime - accept it for what it is and simply stop paying for it. Cut off the money and it will stop inside a week.

It MUST be time to act like the French

This is the most disgusting story I have ever read in my 56 years on this planet.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/5858902/Evil-destruction-of-a-happy-family.html

Can you imagine what these poor people are going through? - I can't - it's just too terrible to comprehend.

It is another demonstration of the "ducking stool" form of (non) justice that has become the "norm" in this country now. The parents in this case have done nothing wrong, the husband made a simple mistake, for which he was found not guilty and, in any case, this had nothing to do with their daughter. Despite this having been pointed out to him and him explaining that he did not know the law on tail lopping (almost as bad as the Great Train Robbery) had changed 2 days before, for reasons never explained, a riot squad descended upon him, looking for guns??? Having wrecked his house searching for these non guns, in come the Social Services (SS for short) to stab the survivors. Finding the house a disgusting mess (courtesy of Mr Plod), they decide that the parents must lose their child. Hang on - how did we get here then? No idea? - Me neither!

So, they steal the kid (this could tick a few boxes and meet a few targets) and then proceed to attach the parent to the ducking stool to prove that they are unfit parents. Lollypops become oral sex attempts and, when the parents cannot take another ducking, this is offered as proof of their guilt. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't this a little like the way we treated suspected witches in the middle ages? If they didn't die in the process of "investigation", then they must be guilty - and then we killed them anyway.

Can you imagine this happening in France? Now, I am not a fan of the French (it's an old English tradition) but, if such a thing happened over there, before the second "hearing", they would have set light to Paris and several other provincial towns, blockaded every port, closed every business in the country and, just for good measure (as it's another old tradition), set light to several English lorries.

I cannot be the only one who, when reading of such obscene actions, done by "officials" (we pay for them by the way) thinks that this country is fast becoming a place that I would not even wish to visit - let alone live in.

I think that we need, as a nation, to grow a backbone and balls and do like the French. Simply stop the country dead in its tracks until this child is returned, (with apologies and compensation) to her parents, where she belongs. We don't need an official review, an investigation or any bloody platitudes that add up to zero - we need, we demand and we bloody well will have this child returned to her parents and every other child in such circumstances returned. If this does not happen, then, as a country, we simply do not exist.

I have long said that there will be a "spark" that will ignite the country into an awakening and realisation that, not only is it wrong, it simply does not have to be this way and if this does not do it, then I despair what might.

Let's go French for a while. Stop everything until we, the citizens of this country get our priorities right - because the people we pay to do it for us sure as hell aren't.

The "Little man" bites back

What a brilliant bit of news.

Canadian singer Dave Carroll composed United Breaks Guitars after his Taylor acoustic was damaged at Chicago's O'Hare airport.

His song "United Breaks Guitars" has had millions of hits after, whilst on tour, he and his band watched from the aircraft as their guitars were thrown around by baggage handlers.

When he tried to claim for the damage to his $3,500 guitar, he was "stonewalled" for over a year and United refused to compensate him for his losses.

He told them that he would "right and release a song all about it" and, true to his word, he did.

As a result, United stocks have lost around 10% - costing them in the regon of $180 million - a bit more than it would have cost to repair his guitar.

Nice when the "little man" bites back and the "corporate" - couldn't give a shit attitude backfires in such a spectacular way.

Here's the video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

This is the kind of thing that Nanny REALLY loves when it happens.

Celebrity Politics

Just occurred to me why I hate the current political environment.

Well - it is a well known fact that Labour live in "la la" land, in complete self denial. The Conservatives can't wait to get their hands on us, so they can tell us what we already know - we are broke and have to live like 12th century hermits fro at least a hundred years to pay it all back. The Liberals pontificate about anything "green", buy into "carbon offset" and believe that public transport is actually what the public want,

It just struck me, like a thunderbolt that, the reason I hate all of them is that they act like "celebrities" - famous for nothing more than "being" famous. No talent, no ideas and, in most cases, no intellect to speak of. Like the late Jade Goody, they are merely there "because they are there". Part of me wonders when the first one will make a record and have it published by Simon Cowbell using Max Clifford as their "agent". They make a "law" and, almost always, back it with the mantra that "we know it is what people really want" - when it's fecking clear that this is not the case. Then they go on the box and pontificate about how well they are doing.

They are like a winner of Big Brother or Britain's Got Talons all rolled into one - with an unlimited budget - all paid for by the audience (that's us).

There is not a single one of them that, if removed from the "limelight" would (or could) actually run a country - or, in most cases - a bath. They are people who have exploited the "celebrity" craze in the country so that, for some reason, many of us actually listen to what they have to say. I wait for Peter Andre to me ennobled and brought in as "First Lord of Celebrity and Chat Shows" (won't be long I think).

The sad part is not only that 99% of the population has "bought" into this farce but, even those celebrity politicians have no real idea of where their lack of policies are taking us. When a government feels that it is perfectly OK that next year they will be spending £4 for every £3 they get in total tax revenues then it must be clear that these "celebs" have simply lost their way - it's totally insane - barking, loony, mad, stupid, and cannot be supported (mind you, they have just given all the civil servants a big pay rise - so it will be worse than that). When one works out that, as was announced two weeks ago, the pension fund for the police alone will require the entire tax take from a City the size of Birmingham to fund it - one starts to get a grip on the enormity of the problem. The Health Service is the second biggest employer on the planet, yet only 1 in 12 employees have anything to do with medicine - the rest are "managers". Our Town Halls employ people as "Bio Diversity Directors" on salaries that eclipse that of the Prime Minister - merely so that we can all "Be Aware of Green Issues". We are told that we must employ thousands of civil servants to "administer" Global Warming issues - all with company cars, private health insurance - despite the fact that the planet has actually cooled by 0.5 degrees since 1998 and there is NO evidence whatsoever that we have, or ever could (look at how big it is) have an effect on the temperature of the planet - to believe so is the height of arrogance in my opinion. We now have "Swine Flu" - a disease that is, in reality, probably no worse (if that) than seasonal flu - yet now we are paying billions to stockpile a vaccine that simply could not, in a million years, work to protect us. As the "vaccine" actually contains live virus (including Bird Flu) and several heavy metals, it is far more likely to spread the disease than cure it. As a matter of interest, ever single animal that this vaccine has been tested on has died - yet, we have now been told that it is "safe" for use on humans (you work it out - I can't).

I say that we have a true Big Brother and we all get to vote them out of "The House" - then we re-boot democracy and rid ourselves of the whole lot of them - with the possible exception of UKIP - as they seem to actually wish to serve us in the way that politicians are lawfully required to - and that is to run the country the way that WE want it run. If they don't agree with that, then lawfully, they are not actually allowed to continue as OUR representatives.

In my opinion, we deserve better than a government of "celebrities". We need clever people who will always put the interests of OUR country first and foremost - and who will do what they are paid to do. If they do that and our country is as we wish it to be, then, who cares if the "milk" the expenses a bit - just so long as they don't appear on telly every 5 minutes telling us how great they are and how they have all the answers.

Sleep well.

Nanny