Restaurant bosses in London on Tuesday sounded caution over potential social distancing in their sites when they reopen, and warned a two-metre rule would be economically unviable.
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty has suggested that, in the absence of a vaccine, maintaining socially distancing by keeping two metres apart may have to be in place until the end of the year.
Under that scenario London firm Grind, which serves food, coffee and cocktails, estimates its largest branch, in Greenwich, would slash the number of customers to whom it serves brunch on Saturdays to just 150. It was around 500 before the coronavirus outbreak.
David Abrahamovitch, founder of Grind, said that would be “financially unviable” without rent cuts or government assistance.
André Blais, founder of Bodean’s BBQ, said: “That would ruin our business if we were not able to get subsidised rent.”
He said restaurant owners look at high footfall potential and how many sittings can be done when they choose to invest in new sites.
Blais warned: “Stripping customer numbers so drastically would mean our original projected earnings from sites cannot be achieved.”
Ranjit Mathrani, the chairman of MW Eat, behind the Masala Zone chain, and Stephano Borjak, director at Caffè Concerto, also agreed that such reduced customer numbers would not be viable.
Their comments echo the bosses of airlines Ryanair and easyJet who have said leaving the middle seat free to ensure distancing is not practical.
London resturateurs and celebrity chefs have gathered behind an initiative called National Time Out calling for a nine-month rent holiday.
