INTERVIEW
Will bars and restaurants soon be able to reopen? While these establishments remain closed for the moment despite the implementation of deconfinement, many restaurateurs are concerned about the serious economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis on their activity. Invited Sunday of Europe 1, the famous chef Philippe Etchebest, who has been alerting for several weeks about the fate of restaurateurs, warns: “We cannot work to lose money”. And proposes in particular the establishment of a “solidarity contribution”, in the form of a fund to support businesses.
The Bordeaux chief, also a TV star, had called on the government in April to “keep all the establishments alive” which will not be able to reopen until summer due to containment measures. At micro Europe 1, he reiterates his concern for the sector, even in the event of the restaurants being reopened soon. “We are headed straight for huge bankruptcies before the opening and by the end of the year,” he said, “there is an urgent need to do something.”
A fund “which would remain in place for future generations”
Regarding the reopening, Philippe Etchebest estimates that “25% of establishments will not reopen on June 2, because part will be bankrupt, and the others will not be able to open because they will be below the break-even point because of restrictive health measures” . If he recognizes that the sanitary measures are “essential”, the chief estimates that “all the establishments are not equipped in term of surface to support that and to face”.
Faced with this situation, Philippe Etchebest offers, with his Collective of restaurateurs from the southwest, the creation of “a kind of united contribution” to help establishments. This contribution could take the form of a “fund which would allow companies to be supported in proportion to their turnover, and which would remain in place for future generations”.
“The restaurateurs would take over 60% of the fund”
Stating that this proposal is “in the hands of the State”, the chef of the restaurant “Le 4e mur” explains that this device is “instantaneous”, and would allow “everyone to touch 15% of turnover excluding tax during six months”. And to ensure: “This would cover the fixed costs and allow everyone to remain standing, to support the closure and to be accompanied for the recovery”.
But who would abound this fund? “The restaurateurs would take care of 60%”, specifies Philippe Etchebest, and “we ask the State 15-20%, as well as insurance and regions”. “This proposal, which claims to be virtuous, could last over time and save generations to come” in the event of a new pandemic, says Philippe Etchebest.
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