Rooftop shutdown hits business at Connaught Place restaurants

COLLAPSE AFTERMATH Owners of bars, eateries say business has gone down by half, losses will mount over the weekend due to less footfall The terrace was the selling point of this place. Guests used to spend more time at the restaurant, drinking.

NEWDELHI: The sealing of rooftop sections of 21 open-air restaurants in Connaught Place has not only disappointed people who wish to have a drink in peace but has also irked the cafe owners who are now incurring severe losses due to the dwindling footfall.

Ever since the sealing, the owners claim to have lost 50% of the business- losing R 2 to R 4 lakh a day, on an average, weekends being worse.

Speaking to HT, Vikas Kumar, restaurant manager at Warehouse Cafe, said that they have lost a section of customers who came to the cafe with colleagues and friends to dine or have a drink in peace. “The terrace was the selling point of this place. Guests used to spend more time at the restaurant, drinking. Not everyone comes to the cafe to party or to listen to loud music. Most customers prefer sitting upstairs where we have light music playing in the background, overlooking Connaught Place, where they can chat with their colleague and friends. Now, the moment we tell the guests that the terrace is sealed, they go back,” he said.

He added, “Now we can’t even hold private parties because there is not much space. Earlier, the walking crowd used to take the terrace, and we could hold private parties at the lounge. Today, I refused booking for three private parties.”

The rooftop sections of the eateries in the British-era shopping arcade were shut down last week following the collapse of a portion of a building in C-block. The incident had raised concerns over the safety of the structures. Officials had pointed out to the lack of maintenance by shop/ cafe owners and excessive load on the old structures in the form of heavy gensets and other inventory.

Most cafes that served hookahs are also feeling the pinch. “We cannot serve hookah in a closed space. Earlier we used to serve it on the terrace and the guests loved it. There is no smoking room inside the cafe, so the guests who wish to smoke have to go downstairs each time, which is very inconvenient. Most guests now leave after a couple of drinks,” Shera, restaurant manager, OMG said.

“There has been a dip of 50% in the business since this shut down was announced,” he said.

Manoj Kumar Das, corporate general manager, My Bar Headquarters, “We all believe that a decision should be taken only after taking into consideration our business and needs of the people.” he said.

We cannot serve hookah in a closed space. Earlier, we used to serve it on terrace and the guests loved it.

The NDMC officials come for regular checks and we also ensure that building is maintained.