Manager of Mumtaz Leeds says lockdown will be like "knife in the heart" for restaurant

Asad Arif, Customer & Business Relations Manager of Mumtaz Leeds, said the restaurant was left in a position where it was more about "survival" following the last lockdown.

However, in a letter penned to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said the new lockdown - following a "nonsensical" curfew which destroyed diners' experiences - has left employees in a position where they have to retrain or look for other income.

The letter in full reads: "Lockdown 2.0 cannot be called the ’nail in the coffin’ for our restaurant or the hospitality industry as a whole. It’s more like a knife being plunged deeper into the heart with the assailant promising to call you the Uber to the hospital ‘but I’ll let you know if I make that call later’.

"We completely understand the we are not alone in this pandemic. We also understand the Government is under immense pressure from the whole nation and the hundreds of varying industries, supply chains and consumers.

"However something has to be done which is better than what is proposed.

"The methods used by the government thus far have already created a close to impossible position for restaurants to make any profit.

"Most restaurants, including Mumtaz Leeds, were left in a position where it was more about ’survival’ and balancing the books as best as possible without letting down employees and their families.

"The table of 6 rule and limitations on weddings destroyed 40% of our revenue - our restaurant is very popular for parties, events, celebrations and weddings. The nonsensical curfew of 10pm destroyed the ‘dining experience’ and consumer desire (not confidence) to dine out.

"What is the purpose of heading out to dine in a nice relaxed environment knowing you must be out before 10pm? The above was the position before…. Well what about now? Now we are left cash-strapped.

"Money has been heavily invested to make our venue Covid safe. Further expense in re-arranging employee times and hours spent creating flexible rota’s so staff (and their families) do not lose income due to reduced hours and inevitably less people eating out due to the circumstances.

"We are also left in a position of not knowing how (and when) to re-open. Do we invest in Christmas menus, decoration and entertainment or will the lockdown be extended beyond 2 December?

"Will the one month of trade be enough to keep us surviving through to March given traditionally most hospitality sectors struggle in normal January to March period. The whole situation takes its toll on any business, owner and certainly the employees.

"The employees are left in a position where they have to re-train or certainly look for other income. Most of our employees have remained loyal but they have their own expenses and cannot continue to live on furlough pay. Credit cards and personal loans continue to build up and this naturally leads to mental stress, anxiety and takes a toll on the whole family. It is understandable where employees have to leave restaurants which inevitably results in further difficulties for any restaurant.