Restaurateur fears ‘empty’ high street
A director at a Bath restaurant that reopened on Monday fears the city’s high street could soon be “empty” due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Tapas restaurant Pintxo, on Barton Street, has opened its doors to the public after many months of inactivity due to the lockdown.
Mark Mentzel, one of the directors, said the restaurant was lucky enough to get a £25,000 government grant to help the team through these difficult times and they were raring to go once more.
Mr Mentzel says they have been working hard to get everything ready but he fears other less fortunate businesses may not be around much longer.
This is in part because the UK’S economy shrank by 20 per cent in April and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said it could shrink 11.5 per cent in 2020.
“It has been difficult for us. We are quite lucky because the Government has supported restaurants and staff quite well with the furlough scheme,” Mr Mentzel said.
“We also got a grant but some struggled to get theirs. We got £25,000 after meeting the criteria and that has helped massively.
“We have a garden outside. Last Easter was the busiest time of the year for us. Profits are out the window for this year.
“Our staff have struggled. They rely on tips as well.
“I think the lockdown will hit chains very hard. I feel confident people will support independents.
“There are shops closing. The high streets could be empty soon.
“I think we can bounce back in the summer but businesses may realise how bad it could be in the autumn.
“When the furlough scheme ends it will really hit hard.”
The director, who has been in the industry for 30 years, said although social distancing being reduced to “one-metre plus” helps businesses, the Government’s information has not been particularly clear.
“As a business we want to ensure the safety of our staff and customers,” he said.
“We don’t plan on putting up
Perspex or staff wearing visors as I think that will be an awful experience for the customer.
“We will meet the government guidelines the best we can.
“There is no 100 per cent guarantee, just like when you go to the supermarket, and I think people will understand that.
“But the government information has been very ambiguous. It has been a bit like, ‘Go out, don’t go out’.
“There is a 43-page document on this, which has not been that clear.”
Mr Mentzel outlined the steps the business is taking to keep customers and staff safe. He said: “We have sanitising stations, we will take people’s contact details when they arrive and we can note where they are sitting.
“We will do a very thorough clean every day, our menu will be recycled, there will be no salt and pepper at the table, bread baskets will be replaced by bowls that will be washed after each use – there are so many things to keep on top of but we will do it.
“The garden is ready for customers. We have everything in place. We have got masks and thermometers for staff.
“There is fear in the air but we are doing our best.”