The owner of a popular Leeds restaurant has spoken out against the second lockdown which will severely affect the hospitality industry.
Asad Arif, the co-owner of Mumtaz, said many restaurants have been left “cash strapped” after having to adapt to Covid restrictions such as the 10pm curfew that “destroyed the dining experience” not confidence to dine out.
This news comes after Boris Johnson announced on Saturday night that a second national lockdown would be imposed from November 5 until December 2 due to the rising number of coronavirus cases.
It means non-essential businesses and gym, pubs, restaurants, and bars will have to close. Michael Gove has since admitted that the lockdown might be extended if needed, as reported by The Mirror.
Asad has questioned whether the hospitality sectors should invest in Christmas menus, decorations and entertainment or whether the restrictions would be extended and is calling for more assistance from the government.
He said: "Lockdown 2.0 cannot be called the ’nail in the coffin’ for our restaurant or the hospitality industry as a whole. It’s more like a knife being plunged deeper into the heart with the assailant promising to call you the Uber to the hospital ‘but I’ll let you know if I make that call later’.
“We completely understand the we are not alone in this pandemic. We also understand the Government is under immense pressure from the whole nation and the hundreds of varying industries, supply chains and consumers. However, something has to be done which is better than what is proposed.
“The methods used by the government thus far have already created a close to impossible position for restaurants to make any profit. Most restaurants, including Mumtaz Leeds, were left in a position where it was more about ’survival’ and balancing the books as best as possible without letting down employees and their families. The table of 6 rule and limitations on weddings destroyed 40 per cent of our revenue.”
Calls are growing for a grant where half of expenses, such as rent and service charges, are paid for the hospitality sector until restrictions are lifted.
Asad said: “Now we are left cash-strapped. Money has been heavily invested to make our venue Covid safe. Further expense in re-arranging employee times and hours spent creating flexible rotas so staff (and their families) do not lose income due to reduced hours and inevitably less people eating out due to the circumstances. We are also left in a position of not knowing how (and when) to re-open.
“The employees are left in a position where they have to re-train or certainly look for other income. Most of our employees have remained loyal but they have their own expenses and cannot continue to live on furlough pay.
"Credit cards and personal loans continue to build up and this naturally leads to mental stress, anxiety and takes a toll on the whole family. It is understandable where employees have to leave restaurants which inevitably results in further difficulties for any restaurant.
“The government have offered £3000 a month support. This does nothing to assist in our £10,000 a month rent nor the utility bills and other costs that are payable. The previous support was a £25,000 grant and removal of business rates. However again, what use is £25,000 when rent and expenses over £50,000 have built up over period 21 March to 4 July. What use is this money when staff have left to obtain more secured employment at Amazon or Tesco? Where does a business survive with the stress of having to recruit new staff and then incur extra expenses in safeguards and staff to remain Covid compliant?
“It is not fair nor correct to state the industry must innovate and think of moving towards ’take out/deliveries’. Mumtaz Leeds, as an example, prides itself in the dining experience it offers.
"We cannot offer that in a plastic box.
“If the government does not assist and URGENTLY provide confirmation of this assistance it simply will leave the majority of business owners and employees in a position where they are left in the dangerous position of purgatory.”
