South Coast restaurants protest raw deal under lockdown regulations

South Coast restaurant owners and staff ‘took to the streets’ in Ramsgate and Shelly Beach yesterday (Wednesday), joining the nationwide #jobssavelives peaceful protest against the regulations affecting the industry.

The industry is suffering hugely under the current lockdown restrictions and is now attempting to make its collective voice heard in a manner that will bring about changes to help it survive.

In Ramsgate, two tables, fully set and dressed, were placed on the pavement.

Representatives from the Lobster Pot, Crayfish Inn and Pistols stood next to the tables, highlighting how their businesses were suffering due to the lack of diners.

The group had initially planned to position the tables almost in the road but decided against upsetting the authorities and possibly disrupting traffic.

Some 35 chairs were also placed alongside and around the tables, as an indication of how many paying customers restaurants have had to ‘give away’ in order to comply with the regulations.

Linda Forbes, owner of the Lobster Pot, said their action was a representation of what was taking place on the coast and around the country.

She said there were three main issues: social distancing which meant fewer tables, the ban on alcohol and the ban on leisure travel.

“Before the latest ban, we had more and more people from out of town visiting. This travel ban is arguably more important than the alcohol ban, which we were adapting to.”

She explained that the restaurant industry was synonymous with tourism, and that this protest aimed to bring awareness to the impact of the restrictions.

She was gravely concerned that if something didn’t change soon, tourism would be ‘dead in the water’.

The current curfews, she said, have made it even more difficult to make a living.

Numerous restaurant owners have posted on social media, lamenting the loss of jobs. Owners want to open, but for some it’s financially just not worth it right now.

Most agree that it’s more than just about serving up great food, it’s about saving jobs.

Many have lost jobs due to the regulations, with those lucky enough to remain still facing an uncertain future.

“How will they support their families?” is a commonly asked question.

The Farm Food Factory was joined by other restaurants and pubs, including Tom, Dick & Harry, Oasis Pub, Buccaneers, C-Bali, Highland Fryer and Smokey Joe’s.

Owner Leanne Galloway said she hoped Government would keep its promise to provide assistance to the embattled industry.

“We took the knock in those early weeks, but help with UIF for staff hasn’t materialised. People are struggling to make basic payments. We built our restaurant with our own hands, now there’s not much point in operating if we can’t do it 100 percent,” she said.

“Pub owners are calling for an easing of the alcohol ban to allow at least two drinks per diner, as well as an extension of the curfew by an hour,” she said.

She was very happy with the local response to the protest.

“We even had Daily Maverick and SABC here, so hopefully something positive will come from this.”

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