Hard time stuck between Covid and 1m space

‘‘Perhaps people could look at dining in the middle of the week rather than Friday or Saturday.’’

Marisa Bidois

Restaurant

Association chief executive

Struggling eateries and bars are urging the public to keep supporting them, despite the challenges of Covid alert level 2.

Distancing rules and capacity limits are making it tough for many businesses to earn enough to pay their bills and staff since most of New Zealand moved to level 2.

This week the Government lifted the maximum indoor capacity for hospitality premises from 50 to 100.

Businesses must run table service only, separate groups by at least 1 metre, take groups no bigger than 10, and require masks unless eating or drinking.

Matt Kamstra, who co-owns Moon Under Water craft pub and restaurant in Beckenham, Christchurch, said it was frustrating having to turn away patrons while taking ‘‘a significant hit’’ financially. ‘‘It is difficult. We are working really, really hard just to stand still.

‘‘We are spending most of Thursdays and Fridays just turning people away.

‘‘We normally say ‘come on down’ but at this point we don’t have space for walk-ins.’’

Kamstra suggested patrons consider booking for a quiet day or buy a takeaway, gift card or merchandise instead. ‘‘That helps with the revenue stream when we are struggling to fit everybody in.’’

Max Bremner, who co-owns Christchurch hospitality businesses including Fat Eddies music bar, Original Sin restaurant and Kong cocktail bar, said that as each week went by it became harder for businesses to hold out.

‘‘I would guess that well over 50 per cent of places are very concerned about their financial stability. Some of the smaller places are OK but a lot of the bigger ones are battling.’’

Bremner said the difficulty was meeting high fixed costs with sharply reduced income.

Their revenue was down 70 to 80 per cent, he said, and he thought the mask requirement could be ‘‘scaring off’’ some people.

Bremner said that while it was ‘‘not a time for moaning, it is a time to try to get through’’, more certainty about the future would be helpful.

‘‘But nobody knows what is ahead,’’ he said.

Both Bremner and Kamstra said hospitality outlets flouting the rules were making life harder for everyone else.

Marisa Bidois, chief executive of the Restaurant Association, said hospitality outlets were ‘‘an important part of our social fabric’’.

She urged people to be creative and help keep their local places afloat.

‘‘We have heard from a lot of businesses how supportive their local communities have been.

‘‘Perhaps people could look at dining in the middle of the week rather than Friday or Saturday. Or see if you can buy a voucher so you can go another time.

‘‘Anything you can do to help their cashflow.’’

The association has asked the Government to consider a scheme like ‘‘Eat Out To Help Out’’ introduced in Britain or ‘‘Dine & Discover’’ seen in New South Wales, where each diner receives a $20 or $25 subsidy on their meal bill.

On Thursday, Bidois addressed Parliament’s economic development, science and innovation select committee, after the committee sought more details on the proposal.

Bidois urged struggling businesses to approach their landlord to ask if they could come to an arrangement.

‘‘I am sure some landlords don’t understand all the restrictions on businesses. No landlord wants to lose their tenant. There can be a compromise between both parties.’’

Yesterday, media company Stuff gave all employees an extra $100 and urged them to spend it to help out a local business.