Restaurants on uMhlanga Promenade feel brunt of beach closure

THE continued closure of beaches, north of the uMngeni River, is having a devastating effect on the accommodation and hospitality industry resulting in the loss of billions of Rands.

The municipality again urged the public to refrain from all beach activities until the water quality is deemed safe due to contamination after the United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) warehouse in Cornubia was set on fire during the KZN unrest in July.

Umhlanga Tourism recently sent out a report by business consultant Herbert Achhammer which stated that if ‘beaches remained closed, the accommodation and the restaurant industry in uMhlanga would suffer a loss in revenue of about R1.7 billion.’

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Restaurants along the uMhlanga Promenade have also been hard hit due to the closures resulting in a loss or sales as much as 40%.

Duncan Heafield, owner of Bellézar and who is responsible for the Northern Corridor Hospitality Association said the closure of the beaches has discouraged not only holidaymakers but locals as well.

“The impact of the beach closures on restaurants, hospitality and entertainment venues from as far south as Beachwood and far north as eMdloti has been disastrous. This week marks 60 days since the beaches were closed and the drop in turnover has hurt businesses. It is currently like a morgue down on the beachfront.

“Without people on the beach people, restaurants like ours suffer. We all understand the health and safety aspect but we also need feedback on whether the beach sand is safe to use for walking and perhaps sunbathing. I feel if the beach was open to everything except bathing it would make a difference,” he said.