– There is widespread frustration in the industry, and it develops into greater and greater distrust of the decision the government made to refuse to drink, says restaurant owner Gard Haugland to TV 2.
He owns a number of restaurants in Bergen, and the government’s latest demand for a stop to drinking in the nightlife has also forced him to close several of his restaurants. Some of them are still open, but with reduced staffing.
– This has led to people being even closer to bankruptcy, and there are already several who have gone bankrupt. On behalf of the industry, I am frustrated and desperate, says Haugland.
– TOO BAD: Restaurant owner Gard Haugland is disappointed that the government is once again shutting down the serving of Norwegian restaurants and nightclubs. He believes that the support schemes do not make up for the nightlife industry’s large financial losses. Photo: Penelope Larsen / TV 2
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He believes that the government’s package of measures and the wage support scheme are having a bad time, and hopes that the liquor ban will be lifted for good on 14 January.
– People are left with too little, and because of all these things, people become very desperate. Now it’s the third time people have laid off employees, so it’s at the breaking point I would say.
Demands that the government turn around
Both NHO and Virke demand that the drinking ban be lifted.
– We believe that the message should have come on Christmas Eve that the liquor ban will be lifted until 10 pm. This is because we see that the consequences are so dramatic for nightlife and dining, says director of business in NHO tourism, Ole Michael Bjørndal, and adds:
– We do not quite see the difference between serving Farris and Cola, but not serving wine with the food until 10 pm.
– NHO: NHO Reiseliv wants an end to a full liquor ban as a pandemic measure. Photo: Tom Rune Orset / TV 2
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Figures from Virke show that the period 15 December-14. January accounts for almost 7 percent of the annual income for restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
In total, the nightlife and catering industry may face a lost turnover of NOK 1,383 billion.
Bjørndal emphasizes that the situation is demanding for the industry.
– For every shutdown, some new hope has been taken away. This erodes and motivation decreases.
– Necessary measures
The Ministry of Health writes in an e-mail to TV 2 that they understand that the measures they have introduced are tough for the industry.
– But measures are needed to reduce contact between people, says State Secretary Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt.
– NECESSARY MEASURES: State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care Services Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt (Labor Party) believes that stopping drinking is important in reducing the infection. Photo: Martin Fønnebø / TV 2
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The government will take a new assessment in mid-January. Until then, there will be no relief at the bar stop.
Furthermore, the government refers to financial measures to improve the situation for companies.
– Neither the compensation scheme nor the wage support scheme is perfect. The scheme will make a positive contribution to some companies, but unfortunately not to all.
Positive for 2022
Restaurant owner Haugland believes the government should do more to get people back to work.
– We are tired of standing with a hat in hand and asking for help. We just want to do what we can and want, says Haugland.
– LOSING EMPLOYEES: Haugland says that his restaurants have also lost many employees through the pandemic. But he hopes that easing the measures will contribute to 2022 being a good year. Photo: Penelope Larsen / TV 2
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– But when the state gives a professional group a refusal to work to save the whole society and calls it a charity, then it is the state’s responsibility to compensate.
But despite a gloomy end to the year, Haugland thinks they have a brighter time ahead. He just hopes everyone manages until then and that no more people flee the industry in the meantime.
– 2022 will hopefully be a fantastic year. We have to be a little positive and try, and then I hope we get over this by shutting down society every time the health service is stressed, he says.
– Slowly, but surely we will probably return to normal operation, and then it will be a great year. I just hope we do not lose too many colleagues along the way.
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