Restrictions on alcohol has devastating effect on local pubs and bars

Lockdown and its restrictions on alcohol have had a devastating impact on many businesses since March this year.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that from26 March, there would be a restriction on all businesses to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These restrictions have since been eased, since the country moved to Level 2 on 18 August. Fourways Reviewchatted to local businesses to find out how they were managing to cope during this time.

Molly Malone’s

Co-owner of Molly Malone’s pub Jessica Sarah Lester said she was very excited when she heard the news that the country would move to Level 2. “The last few months have been very restraining and lots of places have closed down. We were feeling very despondent and nervous of what was going on around us. Turning down customers was also really horrible,” added Lester. Their pub was transformed into a roadhouse including a family venue for children, which kept them going for the past two months. With the move to Level 2, Lester hopes to keep the roadhouse going and reopen the pub. “On the first day back [18 August], the old customers were back and it was like a reunion. Spirits were high and people were excited. “We obviously aren’t going back to fully capacity and the curfew does put a damper on business.” Lester explained that the 10pm curfew did not mean that their kitchen could close at that time. “Staff still need to clean up and get transport home before the 10pm curfew, so we have to close our kitchen even earlier, which does limit our business. “With each new level we need to readjust our business plan and start over.”

Hogshead Douglasdale

Manager at Hogshead Douglasdale Sindiso Dube said lockdown, and the ban on alcohol in particular, has had a nasty effect on their business. “We trade in alcohol and it was really difficult for us to trade without alcohol. Today [18 August] is our first day of proper trade after five months. We tried to open for five days during lockdown, just selling food, but it didn’t work,” said Dube. He added that selling food and snacks without a functional bar was very difficult. “It was also tough on staff. Other than UIF, there was no money coming in, but our bosses were kind and gave us food parcels to get us through these difficult months.” Dube said fortunately, no staff were retrenched at Hogshead Douglasdale. The easing of regulations has given them space to breathe, but it also comes with challenges. “Having to close at 10pm and have less than 50 people is really tough. On a normal [pre-Covid-19] Saturday night, we would have about 300 people inside. And, since we are a pub, we usually make our money after 10pm.” He said the coming weeks and months were not without hope. “It’s going much better now than when we weren’t open at all. We are fully booked and I hope this will continue.”

Billy the Bums

Marketing manager at Billy the Bums, located at Pineslopes Shopping Centre, Dale Baggott said the initial impact of lockdown was drastic for their business. He added that they ran at a substantial loss from April to midAugust. The cocktail bar, which is renowned for its nightlife, DJs and entertainment had to let some full-time and part-time staff go. “As an outlet that has been operating for 17 years, this was a hard pill to swallow. We financially supported our staff through these trying times and spent many a night strategising a way forward,” said Baggott. To stay relevant, they incorporated a child-friendly, safe environment for children and a kiddies menu. They also launched Billy’s on the Go! – complete with an express menu and drive-in diner. Baggott said Level 2 had brought hope for the business with some staff returning to work and prominent DJs getting back on the decks in the afternoons.