Restaurants upbeat as customers return but nightlife yet to pick up
NOIDA: The hospitality industry was one of the sectors worst hit after the Uttar Pradesh government was forced to impose a curfew when the second wave of Covid-19 infections struck in April. Although restaurants were allowed to reopen from June 21, the night and weekend curfew stayed.
From August 22, both Saturday and Sunday curfews were lifted.
“Last week, we had good footfall, despite the 50% cap on capacity. In fact, it is not just the industry, but customers too were waiting for the curbs to be lifted. It will surely breathe life back into Noida’s party scene,”said Manish Khattar, owner of The Bar Company in Sector 38-A.
Owners of some of the major pub chains in the National Capital Region said that in the last two months, they lost business from their Noida outlets to neighbouring cities.
“Customers are finally coming back. Our outlets in Delhi and Gurugram have done well since
restrictions were relaxed earlier. I am sure the same will follow in Noida as well,” said Varun Puri, founder and director at Duty Free Courtyard in Sector 38A.
“People are getting vaccinated and are confident to venture out without neglecting the Covid-19 protocols. In fact, we encourage customers to take the jab,” said Yogesh Sharma, owner of the Flying Dutchman in Sectors 32 and 63.
Varun Khera, head of the National Restaurants Association
of India (NRAI), Noida chapter, said they wrote to the government on Monday to relax the night curfew.
“Before the lockdown this year, we could at least make 60% of the business we had during pre-covid times. Since June, when we opened, up till now, we have not been able to make even 30% turnover of the pre-covid times because of the night curfew and weekend restrictions,” said Khera, who owns Desi Vibes and Kaffiiaa in Sector 18.
However, the road to recovery is still long because of the night curfew, they said.
“Unless this isn’t relaxed, we will not be able to reach even 60% of our pre-covid sales as peole wouldn’t turn up at a place that shuts down by 10pm. Delhi and Gurgaon have done, we ought to do so too,” said Khera.
Rajendra Rawat, general manager at Yellow Chilli restaurant and pub that opened the city’s first microbrewery in March, says the curfew hit the nightlife in the city. “We have to wind up by 9.30pm and so will be unable to cater to many diners,” said Rawat.
Dr N K Sharma, president of the Indian Medical Association (Noida chapter), opined that the establishments in the hospitality sector should be allowed to reopen in the city in a phased manner. “Restaurants and pubs are a spaces where large groups of people tend to stay for hours and remove masks. While I understand it is a matter of livelihood for many, some curbs, like night curfew, are necessary to prevent the spread of Covid,” he said.