Extended lockdown puts pressure on businesses in rented premises

TOURISM business people in West Kerry who don’t own their own premises could find it difficult to survive an extended cronavirus lockdown, according to Laurence Wetterwald who has run the popular Grey’s Lane Bistro for the past five years with her husband Ed Mulvihill.

Most Dingle restaurants closed down out of concern for the safety of their staff and customers before the government ordered restaurants nationally to close on March 25. Now only a handful of restaurants continue to operate, providing takeaway services.

Many of the closed restaurants, as well as other tourism businessess, operate from rented premises and in a town where rents can be over €50,000, a year businesses are under pressure.

The Kerryman understands that many business owners have negotiated rent cuts with their landlords but they still face a struggle to survive the lockdown. And even after the lockdown is lifted they face an uncertain future not knowing how quickly the local tourism industry will recover.

Restaurants in Dingle have gained an international reputation for producing local food of exceptional quality and in 2014 the town was named the premier ‘Foodie Town in Ireland’, beating off stiff competition from the likes of Kinsale and Galway. However, the disruption caused by the Coronavirus pandemic means that even after restrictions are eased people are likely to travel less and will have less money to spend, which will have an inevitable impact on the customer base for these restaurants.

The online commercial leases register, operated by the Property Services Regulatory Authority shows that some businesses in Dingle are paying rents in excess of €50,000, which in the times ahead could become an obstacle to the viability of some businesses in the town.

Meanwhile, last weekend Nicky Foley of Solas Tapas commenced a takeaway service from his restaurant in Strand Street. The restaurant is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and they take orders from 1pm – 4.30pm by phone on 087 9932116. Takeaway meals can be collected at a pre-arranged time between 5pm and 8pm. The full menu is available on their Facebook page.