The Sunday Mail
Society Reporters
NIGHTCLUB and social club owners currently find themselves in a pickle: they are stuck with huge stockpiles of beverages, mostly beer, which has either expired or are about to expire.
Bars have been shut for more than two months in compliance with the lockdown measures meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Most of the businesses have become increasingly fretful after the lockdown was extended indefinitely.
However, the restrictions are subject to two-week reviews.
“There will be no compensation for our lost stocks from Delta or the State. Thus, we are desperately appealing to Government to allow us to clear our beers, which are about to expire,” said David Mudzudzu, who operates Club Joy Centre in Machipisa and Chitungwiza.
“Losing this stock means we will technically not be able to get back to business again. The kombi crews are better because the fuel in their vehicles does not expire. We have been hard-hit and there might be no recovery for us after this.”
Only registered businesses have been allowed to resume operations.
Public gatherings of any sort are still banned, except for funerals, where the number of mourners is limited to not more than 50.
Bars and social clubs also remain closed just as informal traders and private commuter omnibus operators.
Although bottle stores are allowed to sell liquor, the public is not allowed to consume it around the premises.
Legends Sports Bar owner Daniel Masaiti is worried.
“Everything is going south. My situation is worse. I had ordered a huge stock of beer in preparation for Alick Macheso’s show that we had to cancel as it coincided with the start of the lockdown. We are hoping that Government considers our plight so that we salvage the little we can from the terrible situation,” he said.
Unscrupulous nightclub owners have, however, been pushing their product through the back door.
Government has been progressively reviewing the present restrictions in order to balance the need to save lives by stopping the spread of Covid-19 and ensuring that economic activity continues. Farmers were the first to benefit after being allowed to sell their produce, and those who sell beer believe they deserve to be similarly considered as their products also expire.
“Some commodities like vegetables and other foodstuffs were immediately considered as essential because they expire or are perishable and the impact is easily noticeable. However, we are equally affected,” said Benjamin Nyandoro, who owns Padziva Nightclub.
“We sell beverages like alcohol that have expiry dates. Thus, there is a need to revisit the model and terms of trade. For instance, those that have bottle stores are currently allowed to operate, now we need to consider a revision of terms of the licence for those that do not have bottle stores but have stocks to clear.”
Government and health guidelines have to be strictly adhered to if the businesses are allowed to dispose their stocks.
“We are in the same boat with many big players in the liquor business. We are going to suffer huge losses because some beers expired and we have a big batch expiring on June 30 or thereabouts,” revealed Biggie Chinoperekwei of Devine Assignments.
“However, for us, it is not just about the expiring beers, it is a whole range of issues. We still have to pay rentals to keep the premises that we are currently in. Remember, some industries are thriving during this lockdown. If you cannot come up with the required money, the owner will simply accept the other guy’s offer. We are really between the devil and the deep blue sea. Our industry really needs an intervention.”
