Aashim Bajaj, The Cinnamon Garden, Co MeathLaying off people who have stood by me for years is a hard thing to do, especially when none of us know what the future holds and when business will resume. The pandemic has shown me the value of good communication with my suppliers and the loyalty of my customers.
There has been opportunity in the turmoil of the last few months. We have launched our own range of Cinnamon Garden homemade chutneys, freshly ground spices, fresh mango lassi, BBQ boxes, and Fill your Freezer deals, which have been a big hit.
The impact of this third lockdown is undeniable. Like many other restaurant owners I had stocked up for Christmas, but it was very disheartening to close up again at 3pm on Christmas Eve for indoor dining when we restaurant owners were doing our bit to keep everyone safe. Opening and closing a business is not easy. We have lost lot of our wonderful staff as they have changed profession and found jobs elsewhere. It will be very difficult for all small and medium size business, especially in hospitality, to source staff, do training etc again. As it is, there is a big shortage of skilled chefs in Ireland.
The reduction in VAT rates has been a great help for restaurants. Unfortunately, many supports require businesses to have sustained steep losses. This threshold can push these supports out of reach for struggling businesses.
Cinnamon Garden restaurant has been trading for 11 years and 2020 has been most stressful. Whenever I look at my empty restaurant and miss the conversations and laughter of my customers, I remind myself how amazing it will be to welcome them all back. Cinnamongarden.ie
Noel Carroll, Carrolls ToursWe are an Irish inbound tour operator offering an extensive range of tour packages to international travellers visiting Ireland. Covid-19 has decimated our business with revenues down over 95 per cent in 2020. We have not traded since March 17th last, which normally marks the start of the tourism season. We were lucky in a sense that a lot of our customers postponed their trips to 2021, but since the third lockdown and the current travel restrictions into Ireland, we have lost all our Q1 bookings and there is a huge risk of mass cancellations in Q2 unless there is a swift rollout of vaccinations, easing of travel restrictions and a reopening of the economy. Current financial supports such as the CRSS are not applicable to most tourism businesses like ours. The tourism industry needs more sector specific financial help in order to survive 2021 and beyond. carrollstourgroup.ie
Daniel McCarthy, Star Seafoods, Kenmare
Daniel McCarthy, Star Seafoods: The recent restrictions will put another big strain on our company.
Star Seafoods has been in operation since 1974, set up by my father. We supply 350 hotels, restaurants, care homes, and cafes. The first lockdown effectively closed the majority of our customers overnight with only a small number electing to stay open for takeaway.
The previous year we had started selling and delivering directly to consumers in Cork City through our website, using our own delivery van. During the first lockdown, it was one of our only sources of income. We decided to expand to Limerick and Kerry, followed by Dublin. There was a lot of added logistics, a large area to cover and a lot of houses to deliver to, but the move was such a success that we decided to roll out to parts of Galway, Clare, Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Louth, with plans to grow the delivery network further in 2021.
Supplying the food service sector is still by far the biggest part of our business and the recent restrictions will put another big strain on our company. But we will continue to grow our home delivery service while so many people are staying safe at home. 2020 was a very challenging year and 2021 will throw up its fair share of difficulties, but when we finally get the food service business back, we will be happy to have a whole new side to our business in our online fish shop. starseafoods.ie
Lisa Halpenny, Kids Cook Cookery SchoolWe were devastated to close our cookery school premises (in Clonee, Co Meath) last March, but now, with such a different business model, we can react in a positive way and give more to the children in our virtual cooking club. Our classes are running very successfully online, and we love that we can still teach children how to cook in a safe, fun way. Our business is growing. Each time there are restrictions on movement, we can add extra content and engaging live classes for our customers. kidscookcookingclub.com
Ken Reddin, Hungry Bear Café, Gorey, Co WexfordWe opened our 90-seat cafe in July 2018. Our first year was very tough but by our second year, it started to take off. We closed on March 15th to keep our staff, customers and community safe. We opened for takeaway in mid-May which went well, and for 50 seated guests when we were allowed. We had a busy summer and a good autumn, but we all knew what was coming.
We had to lay off 10 staff in October for the Level 3 restrictions and we did takeaway again for eight weeks until we were allowed have seated guests again in December, which meant having to hire and train new staff. One tested positive on St Stephens day, which meant we had to close for two weeks. Thankfully everyone else tested negative.
Looking ahead, its hard to know what to do. There isnt much State help as it is all based on takings in 2019, and we were a new business that year, so we dont really qualify for Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. With positive tests now at an all-time high, its probably better for everyone that we stay closed for another few weeks. Longer term, Im more worried about how long the vaccine will take to roll out. Most businesses like ourselves have had to sacrifice a huge amount this past year and facing another similar year in 2021 doesnt bare thinking about. We are all tired, fed up, worried and helpless.
There are so many companies falling between the gaps 
Anonymous, CorkA lot of companies wont talk publicly for fear of spooking creditors. There are thousands of companies that do not qualify for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme as we do not have a business that the public are restricted from accessing. This is a ridiculous loophole that is not being spoken about much in the media. To date the only support we have received is the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for two members of staff. The rest are on temporary lay off.
There are so many companies falling between the gaps, not entitled to supports. We are sinking. It feels like one section of business is being supported and another is not. Its lonely. Its isolating. Its deeply upsetting. Companies like ours have effectively been closed since March and entitled to nothing under current eligibility rules. I am not sleeping. I worry about the future. And nobody is coming to help.
Gerry Breen, First Aid Supplies