Plett leads the way in restaurant survival

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Businesses have proven once again that they will fight, even if the odds are against them.

The restaurant industry in the coastal holiday town has been dealt blow after blow by the global Covid-19 pandemic, ranging from forced closures to a diminishing customer base as a result of earlier visitor restrictions.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement that South Africa would once again be moved to lockdown level 4 and restaurants would be limited to offering take-aways once again, came as another hard blow. But instead of throwing in the towel, innovative ways were found to keep restaurants going during this time.

One of these ideas came from local businessman Duncan Brown, who owns the Beacon Isle Kwikspar in Plett. He decided to close his very popular take-away kiosk and pizza bar and allow local restaurants to sell their take-away items there instead. Six restaurants came on board and will, until 11 July at least, sell their goods on a rotational basis from his store.

"It has already been very well received by locals. Plettenberg Bay is a close-knit community who comes together during a crisis," Brown said.

He said that restaurants needed the help.

"I feel desperately sorry for local restaurants. These are good people who have been dealt a bad hand."

Brown, who has assisted the town in many ways over the years, said he felt "we had been blessed" during the pandemic. "We have even seen an increase in business, but there are many who have not been so lucky. I feel it is only fair to share it with others."

Soon after opening up the kiosk and pizza bar for other restaurants, Brown also decided to allow musicians to perform at the store, within lockdown regulations. "These are artists who are also suffering. Most of them performed at restaurants and now do not have the opportunity to do so."

During the first hard lockdown, Brown already started his support of other local businesses by providing space for them to sell their goods in his store.

Plettenberg Bay Tourism has also started a campaign to mitigate the impact of the lockdown on restaurants by inviting owners doing take-aways to share their menus and other information on its website.

One of the restaurants whose idea stands out is The Grand Lookout Deck on Plett's popular Lookout Beach, that has set up an impromptu roadhouse in its parking area. As part of the initiative, restaurant staff slide a sanitised plank "table" into patrons' vehicles on which they serve their takeaway meals.

Residents and visitors can park in the parking area overlooking the beach and peruse the restaurant's menu either online or via WhatsApp. They can then place their orders via WhatsApp with details like the make and colour of their vehicles. Staff will then bring their orders for them to enjoy.

For a list of restaurants offering takeaways in Plett, visit https://www.plett-tourism.co.za/restaurants-open-for-takeaway-or-delivery/

A restaurant in Plettenberg Bay has created an impromptu roadhouse to mitigate the impact of lockdown level 4 trading restrictions.