Association of sit-down restaurants formed to lobby for a more palatable future

14 May 2020 - 16:28 By Ernest Mabuza
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Call and collect meals are one of the options the collective would like to discuss with government. File photo.
Call and collect meals are one of the options the collective would like to discuss with government. File photo.
Image: Picture: Sunday Times/Daniel Born

A non-profit and no-fee group, the Restaurant Collective, has been formed to collectively deal with the challenges faced by the sit-down restaurant industry due to the lockdown.

The group said sit-down restaurants would probably be running at 50% capacity when government allowed the sector to reopen for business to ensure social distancing.

“We cannot cover fixed costs when our trading is reduced by half. The majority of sit-down restaurants are owned by small independent entrepreneurs who do not have the resources that bigger takeout chains do and very often are not members of any formal organisations,” said spokesperson, Ocean Basket CEO Grace Harding.

She said for the short term, the group would address challenges created by the current Covid-19 lockdown and ongoing trade restrictions.

For the longer term, the collective would address other issues with the aim of building a strong, resilient foundation for the industry as a whole to thrive.

Harding said some of the points they would like to address with landlords during the lockdown included payment holidays and reduced rentals for “social distancing” regulations.

After lockdown, the organisation wants to discuss moving away from fixed rentals.

The organisation would like to discuss with government, during the lockdown, the immediate approval of a call and collect scenario for sit-down restaurants and extended trading hours until 9pm

Harding said business has to be conducted with new intentions.

“We have to sit down together and understand one another’s needs and concerns — from banks to landlords to government departments. Only by understanding one another’s views can new, more relevant solutions be built,” Harding said.

She said the first phase of the organisation's work was to form project groups to develop sustainable solutions for the benefit of all.

“Within the next week we would like to have engaged with government. Government is only one of the stakeholders and this group’s objective is more far-reaching, including banks, landlords and suppliers,” Harding said.

Restaurants and restaurant groups that have signed up so far include Ocean Basket, Tashas Sakhumzi, Del Forno, Doppio Zero, Fournos and Life & Brand.


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