When it comes to the crunch...

5:36pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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As the credit crunch hits families across the borough with increasing domestic bills, higher food shopping prices, and sky-high fuel costs, SAMANTHA SELVINI visited Radlett to ask people how they had been affected.

Ricky Tobias, 56, a businessman from Essex: "I am involved in a business that really benefits from the situation. It's a website for home improvement."We've had a marked increase in business because people, instead of moving, are improving their homes."Beauty therapist Zara Bonsea, 21, of St Albans: "It hasn't made much difference to me. I have heard a lot about it but I haven't actually gathered the effect on me, probably because I don't own a home - I live with my parents."It possibly did affect my workplace to a slight extent, as we were quite quiet for the past few weeks, but I don't know if that has to do with the bank holiday. "But apart from that, I don't think it has."Sean Lions, 38, of Shenley Hall, Shenley, works in computer sales: "The credit crunch doesn't affect me: I am single and I paid off my mortgage."Melanie Gotlieb, 45, of King Charles Road, Shenley, charity worker: "I think I am more careful in my shopping and for essentials, definitely."I really would try and pay all the interest off my credit card bill each month, that's the only way, because the crunch really does affect everyone."Brenda Boulter, 59, of Aldenham Avenue, customer relations: "I am single so it doesn't really affect me. I buy my milk when I need it. "It doesn't affect me as it would a family with two or three children, where they're probably buying milk by the gallon."Union representative David Clout, 65, of Watling Knoll, Radlett: "As somebody who's paid up the mortgage, it doesn't seem to really affect me."My daughter is in the process of starting to buy a house and she had no problem getting a mortgage."