The paradise on earth, Kashmir is bearing the brunt of the prolonged coronavirus lockdowns. With life coming to a standstill, several establishments including restaurants are struggling to keep businesses afloat. Restaurant owners said that they had to take several measures, even to the extent of laying off employees, in the last two years while trying to keep the ball rolling. Many of them have already invested lakhs and crores in the businesses. Now, with the uncertainties continuing further, many restaurateurs are thinking of shutting their businesses permanently. Restaurants are trying to get a permit from the government for home deliveries.
Restaurants Seek Permission For Deliveries And Takeaways To Keep Businesses Afloat
Restaurant owners in Kashmir requested the administration to permit takeaways and home deliveries of food to help them sustain their businesses. According to a Free Press Kashmir report, a spokesperson of the Restaurant Owners Association Kashmir said that a delegation led by Sheikh Feroz, the president of the association, met the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad on May 27, 2021, and explained how the restaurant industry in Kashmir is struggling with losses since last year due to COVID-19. Till now, the owners of the restaurants were somehow managing to pay the salaries of staff members, but now it is becoming extremely difficult for them to continue making the payments without the businesses running, said the spokesperson. One In Four Restaurants In India May Never Reopen Again
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Many Restaurants Have Permanently Closed Businesses
Many restaurants have also permanently closed their businesses, unable to cope with the huge losses. According to a Greater Kashmir report, Hakim Mehjoor, who runs café99 restaurant in Lalchowk stated how he is thinking of winding up his business after constant struggles. He said, “A lot of investment goes into the business. We have to pay for equipment, staff, rent and other expenditures. Recently the owner of my space came and I could not pay him. This time I handed over my restaurant keys to him with a heavy heart as I had almost made up my mind to give up the business. This is after I invested over ₹40 lakh into the business.”
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In the last few years, the restaurant industry in Kashmir had developed rapidly with themed cafes, deliveries, takeaways and more. But now, with the lockdown restrictions in place for a long time and its further extension, the owners are failing to hope much.