Bridge closure affects Tweni businesses
Lee Barker, the owner of Jaxx and Schooner's Restaurants in Umtentweni said his businesses have been significantly affected.
Businesses to the north of the Mzimkhulu River bridge, which is closed for repairs, are also being impacted by fewer customers through their doors.
The closure is also affecting commuters and residents who had to seek alternative routes to get to work, school or to shop.
Lee Barker, the owner of Jaxx and Schooner’s Restaurants in Umtentweni, said his businesses have been significantly affected.
“My staff has been affected as well, but we survived Covid-19, and I believe that we can survive this.”
The chairperson of Port Shepstone Country Club, John Beekman, said golfers who usually frequented the club from other areas are not doing so now.
He added that people cannot afford to pay the N2 toll fees, and they are also afraid of driving on the low-level bridge at Batstone’s Drift because it’s unsafe.
“On Fridays, we were busy; now it’s just local people. Before, we would get people from Marburg and other areas.”
Furthermore, he could not confirm if staff will be let go or their hours reduced; instead, the situation will be monitored.
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