The owner engaged Chadwicks to answer a critical question: how could a business that looked successful be so close to crisis?
Rachael Chadwick-Harrison, Managing Director of Chadwick Accountants, led a comprehensive viability and performance review to uncover the root cause. While headline turnover suggested a healthy operation, detailed analysis revealed that profit was being eroded by misaligned staffing, unprofitable trading hours, and hidden inefficiencies beneath the surface.
“Too often, businesses are given the numbers but not the answers,” said Rachael. “We’re not a generic accountancy firm. We go beyond reporting and compliance to understand how a business actually operates and what needs to change to make it profitable.”
By analysing sales by day and hour, Chadwicks identified clear patterns. Mornings and weekends consistently delivered strong returns, while weekday afternoons were loss-making. A labour efficiency review showed the business was overstaffed during quieter periods, resulting in wage costs that far outweighed the revenue being generated.
Working closely with the owner, Rachael redesigned staffing rotas to align with genuine customer demand. Peak periods remained fully supported to protect service quality, while labour costs were reduced during low-value hours. This restructuring delivered approximately £28,000 in annual wage savings, providing immediate cash flow relief and restoring financial control.
“Being busy doesn’t automatically mean being profitable,” Rachael explained. “The business wasn’t failing due to lack of effort or demand, it was misaligned. Once we provided clarity and practical insight, the right decisions became obvious.”
Additional data-led recommendations included refining pricing during high-demand periods, repurposing quieter hours for preparation tasks, and reviewing earlier closing times on consistently unprofitable days.
Following implementation, the business saw improved cash retention, reduced wage pressure, and a more sustainable operating structure moving away from constant financial firefighting and towards long-term stability.
“This is exactly where we add value,” Rachael added. “We don’t just tell clients where they stand, we work alongside them to reshape their business for long-term success.”
