Ocean Road restaurant chiefs fear Covid restrictions could see businesses close for good

Traders on Ocean Road, in South Shields, say custom fell away by as much as 80% after August’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme ended.

And they fear an even bigger slump will follow over the coming weeks, due to the Government’s new ban on people outside of households mixing.

They warn trade may continue to cool off in the run up to Christmas – with customers already proving reluctant to book ahead for the festive season.

In the wake of the business furlough support scheme ending this month, they have called on PM Boris Johnson to announce additional help.

It comes after South Shields businesses react to latest Government restrictions on pubs and cafes, describing it as 'ludicrous' and 'devastating'.

Habibur Rahman, 57, owner of Indian Brasserie, said: “The new rules are going to have a big negative impact, and I have already seen business drop.

“Even on Tuesday, when people began to learn more about them, I had four cancellations from eight bookings.

“People are again worried about coming out for a meal. This has not been called a second lockdown, but it effectively is.

“At this time of year, I always start taking bookings for Christmas, but customers I’ve spoken to about it don’t want to commit.

“They want to know what the situation will be like before they do.

“I’m already worried about Christmas. If the situation stays like this, it could be ruined.”

Shah Choudhury, 42, owner of Zeera Indian Cuisine, said: “The new restrictions will have a massive impact.

“Since the announcement, we have lost 80% of bookings and from when households can’t meet at all indoors, it will have an even greater impact.

“The tightening of rules has created a fear factor, with customers fearful of coming out dining again, reversing some of the benefit we got from Eat Out to Help Out.

“There will have to be job cuts and losses in the near future

“I have had to subsidise wages from my own pocket and cut hours as we are currently losing money every time we open the doors.

“As business owners, we need clear understanding of how long these restrictions will last, so we can plan.

“If we know it’s for two weeks, we can adapt our business model to accommodate that. The government should put in place funding for businesses struggling to keep the doors open.”

Mr Choudhury added: “I think by the end of this year, the famous bustling Ocean Road will have a very different landscape, with many of us having to consider closing our doors permanently.

“We are still planning our Christmas menus and hoping that tighter restrictions now will mean that we can all still enjoy some sort of festivities come December.

“Bookings for December have dropped dramatically compared to previous years, and this is extremely worrying for the hospitality sector as this is traditionally when the sector is at its busiest.”

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