Weather The Storm

Despite this year’s lockdown losses, we must get back up and carry on

BY September each year, I’m usually in a bit of a daze after the hectic summer season. Our business needs the pace and impact of that flurry of tourism, however, to fund the quieter winter months.

We’re usually exhausted but also sad that it’s over for another year. Of course, this September is different.

In July, we started the phased opening of our venues at Contini George Street. A four-month closure was made slightly easier as we were able to offer our “Contini at Home” service.

So many of our lovely customers were at home alone and it felt good being able to deliver meals to their houses. It was great to be connecting, even at a two-metre distance.

This time last year we were concerned about not being able to source enough staff. With Brexit looming, our 80% European team was hugely reduced.

In contrast, this summer we had fewer than 20 staff, with many on furlough, and sadly we didn’t have the opportunity to recruit for the summer season.

Over the last six months, I’ve worked fewer hours in the restaurants as they’ve been closed but I’ve never felt more exhausted. Nevermind the stress of having our business closed, what we in hospitality have missed is the emotional energy from our customers. This gives us the fuel to be able to endure the long days and keep standards up. We’re slowly picking up the pace again and that is helping the mood.

With more aspects of society and the economy functioning again, the thing we’re all missing so very much and valuing for maybe the first times in our lives, is that human touch. A cuddle! A cuddle has become my most precious gift.

This September, I’m in a very different daze from usual. We are adjusting to a very different world now. But, like with anything else, let’s pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and get on with it with a smile behind our masks and an extra cuddle for those we love.