‘Al fresco dining option is stupid’ says Peterborough chef ahead of PM’s roadmap announcement

Gurkha Lounge, in Stewartby Avenue, Hampton Vale, is one such venue, and owner Krishna Kris would prefer alternative help from the government such as an extension of the 5% VAT. 

“We have no outdoor space, so opening only outdoors is not beneficial for us personally,” he said.  “However, lots of other venue will benefit.

”I wasn’t very big fan of Eat Out To Help Out  last time. With vaccinations in place  maybe Eat Out will be good now. 

“Also, 5% VAT on food is a great idea . We really didn’t take much advantage of it due to lockdown, so if that continues for a longer period that will help. And business rates holidays are  definitely good things for the hospitality sector.” 

Prem Devkota has a similar problem at his Gurkha Durbaar restaurant in Broadway in the city centre.

”For us, outside dining is not possible because of the taxi stand and pedestrians,” he said. “But maybe something similar to Eat Out To Help Out would be ideal for hospitality, something to move business forward. It’s been a difficult year, let’s hope by the summer all will be over.”  
Meanwhile another close to the city centre Zillur Hussain, whose Pearl Hotel on Lincoln Road houses Tavan, a Turkish and Moroccan restaurant, said “We are ready to re-open with all the safety measures in place. But at this point in life we need to stop and think what is more important - to open for few weeks and close again or wait until vaccines kick in and the number of new cases go down?

”All restaurant owners have all the safety measures in place. When it is safe the Government should just let us open and get back to normal bit by bit.”

And  Chris Newman at Homme Nouveau in Whittlesey remains scathing of the Government’s approach.

”The ‘al fresco’ option for re opening in April is stupid,” he said. “Yes we have an outside area but April is notorious for rain and you can’t be taking bookings in advance due to not knowing what the weather will be like.”

Questioning the Government’s handling of the pandemic he added: “Why hospitality is still being held back is beyond me. Less than 3% of cases were linked back to hospitality. Over 50% in supermarkets. Less than 1% of staff in hospitality have also caught covid-19.
“As for the Eat Out scheme, I didn’t take part last year and wouldn’t again if it came around this time.”