The catering entrepreneurs are sounding the alarm, warning with thousands of padlocks in the industry, if they do not open their stores immediately. The constant suspensions, the restrictions but also the expenses that "run" have brought despair to the catering entrepreneurs.
The situation for the catering industry is extremely difficult and heartbreaking, as almost half of the catering businesses are in the… range of the padlock, as many of them may not be able to reopen when the "green light" comes on or open will not withstand the unbearable economic "burdens" created by the pandemic crisis.
In Kolonaki, Gyzi, Psyrri, padlocks are already counted with many empty shops or with the sign "rented" to dominate, while in the suburbs of Attica, in Kifissia, Chalandri, Holargo the picture is similar.
Restaurant owners, despite government interventions to facilitate business, such as repayments, reduced rents, deferred tax liabilities and various subsidy schemes, are calling for more drastic solutions that will provide real and effective support to the industry. For example, to have debt write-off, to have single-digit VAT as in other neighboring countries, to have NSRF programs that will support the focus and the repayable advance to become non-refundable for the industry, etc.
People demand the immediate operation of restaurants, even if they need to be opened in the first phase, serving only outdoors.
Costas Korellis