Food and drink businesses in Peterborough dealt a devastating blow by lockdown

The government’s latest efforts to tackle the ongoing covid-19 pandemic will see pubs, bars and restaurants forced to put up the shutters until at least December 2 - apart from takeaways and deliveries - just as many had started to get back on their feet after the three-month Spring lockdown.

Devastated just about summed up Paul Sharma at the 2020 World Buffet restaurant in New Road which only opened the day before the original lockdown in March and now faces another enforced closure.

“It’s devastating,” said Paul.

“So far we have had zero help from the government as we belong to the category of business rates above £51,000.

“We will be plunged into huge debt by the time it’s over. It’s basically a hopeless situation.”

He said the multi-cuisine restaurant wouldn’t be resorting to takeaways as the staff and fixed costs compared to sales meant it was not viable.

Will Frankgate, at The Blue Bell, a highly rated gastropub in Glinton, described it as a worrying time for the hospitality sector.

“It’s devastating to think we’re going to have to go through another closure considering all the hard work that has been put in since our reopening,” he said.

“We have been operating fully inline with all government recommendations to ensure we fully protect our loyal customer base and our dedicated staff members. The feedback we’ve had since our reopening in July has been wonderful, it’s great to know we are doing everything we can to keep everyone as safe as possible. We are just hopeful that we will be able to concentrate on a re-opening in December.

“We have a lot of saddened customers who are very frustrated at the steps being taken, though the general consensus is that is it necessary. It’s generally a worrying time for all businesses within the hospitality sector.”

A deflated Heidi Semple at The Pack Horse, another food led pub in Northborough, said she felt lockdown was a little too late, and while the government needed to control the virus the economy needed protecting.

“I am absolutely gutted that all of the dedication and hard work from the staff, not just at the Pack Horse but all pubs and restaurants, to get the business back on its feet - has been wasted and therefore feel very deflated,” she added.

“Let’s hope this lockdown works well and keeps everyone safe.”

Dinesh Odedra, at The Banyan Tree, in Westgate, remains critical of the goverment’s handling of the situation.

“Politically, the lockdown is too late, it should have happened during half term,” he said. “Ideally, from day one the emphasis should have been on shielding the vulnerable not expensive lockdowns.

“For us, as a business, we cant make any plans. We can’t recruit as people as scared to go to work. We had three drivers not show up yesterday as they are scared of catching it while going to houses - specially flats as some customers still won’t come down to the main door.

“We had been designing Christmas menus. Who’s gonna book up for Christmas now?”

Prem Devkota should be celebrating the first anniversary of opening the Gurkha Durbaar Nepalese and Indian restaurant on Broadway in the city centre this month and will do so while running a takeaway service..

“It’s been one year since we opened our restaurant and we all had no idea we have to go through this sort of situation,” he said. “We opened this restaurant to provide a fine-dining experience, and we are truly grateful of our Peterborough community - they have supported us so much and gave us so much encouragement,

“We all have to stay healthy and strong; we will keep our Gurkha spirits up.”

Rony Choudhury at the Bombay Brasserie was equally philosophical about the government’s decision.

“Always better to be little late than never. Now I am looking forward to December,” he said.

His sentiment was echoed by Rinaldo Fasulo at The Pizza House on Cowgate,

“The way the coronavirus is going, killing a lot of people, I agree the shutdown for a month before it gets any worse.

“Roughly the restaurant is back to normal so it’s going to affect us badly but will be doing takeaways.

“Let’s hope all the numbers go down and we can get ready for Christmas.”

Ram Krishna Bashyal, at The Gurkha Lounge, Hampton Vale, will be continuing with a full collection and delivery service - “We are ready to face any difficulties to stay in the market and with everyone’s love and support we will survive,” he said.

“I knew it was coming, Yes, so many things don’t make sense but we have to stick with the law.”

And a defiant Damian Wawrzyniak will remain as versatile as ever having added a deli and bakery to his House of Feasts restaurant at Eye Green since Spring lockdown.

“The Deli will remain open from 8am throughout lockdown,” he said, adding that a butchery section will be added from Thursday and vegetables and dry goods added to what is already on offer.