When can bars open at least gradually? The gastronomy misses a perspective. Munich's innkeepers protested at Odeonsplatz on Friday. Many are facing ruin.
- The Corona crisis hits Munich restaurateurs hard.
- When you can open your shops again is not yet foreseeable.
- A spectacular protest took place on April 24th at Odeonsplatz.
Munich - The chairs remain empty. Hundreds are lined up in the square in front of the Theatine Church. On the backs of posters are to be read as "The Gastro need to intensive care" or "Gastronomy is also relevant to the system." You can see the names of numerous places . And in the middle is a lonely bed in front of the Feldherrnhalle .
A good 500 Munich innkeepers cleared their anger on Friday. However, only 25 were physically present because, due to the corona spacing rules, they were no longer allowed to participate in the demo. The campaign took place simultaneously in 41 German cities. All restaurateurs have one thing in common: Politicians miss an opening perspective for their industry. Many are wearing yellow t-shirts this Friday that read "Save our Local Gastro - the last shirt has no pockets".
Corona crisis: restaurateurs demonstrate in Munich
Even Christian Schottenhammel has come Wiesn -Wirt and operator of the restaurant at the Nockherberg. He says: "The empty chairs are a symbol for the guests we miss." As chairman of the Munich district group of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association Dehoga, he knows where his colleagues are pushing their shoes. In the current situation, loans are "a death on installments". Immediate help is needed . Schottenhamel: "Many small restaurateurs are afraid of existence."
This is what Odeonsplatz looked like on Friday afternoon.
© Oliver Bodmer
The Dehoga boss wants a perspective for the industry: "We had to close our shops first and still have no prospect of reopening." The reduction in VAT is a good approach, but unfortunately only applies to food. “ Bars and clubs are of little use.” Schottenhamel's 123 employees are all currently on short-time work . At least the open-air catering should be possible again in May, according to him.
Corona virus creates a life-threatening situation: restaurateurs “occupy” Munich's Odeonsplatz
There are around 5,800 restaurants in Munich , and probably 100,000 people live here from gastronomy. Marc Übelherr is one of the big players in the city. He is a member of the Leaders Club Germany, which organized the nationwide protest together with Dehoga . With four partners, Übelherr runs a catering group that includes twelve restaurants, including the “Oh Julia” in Munich and the once legendary “Zoozies”, today “Fugazi No 15”.
The landlord says he respects political decisions. Nevertheless: If perspectives were not shown soon, there would be a host dying . As early as June, as Evil Lord feared. Because: "We have neither a date nor practical suggestions for a solution." The 48-year-old wants politicians to start a dialogue with the industry. It is not a question of opening seven days a week, but rather developing concepts step by step.
"Why can't we at least open outside?"
The Café Zimt und Koriander in Lerchenau is a small family business, 30 seats indoors, 50 outdoors. "We are fighting massively for survival," says operator Iris Ghiai. She wonders: "Why we must not, at least in the open open with a sufficient safety distance between the tables?" Leonie Carnap operates with Klaus Rainer the Golden Bar at the House of Art and the Wabisabi. Your staff - around 50 people - are on short-time work. How does it describe the situation in the industry? "Desperate." Politicians should also talk to the restaurateurs. "You talk to the virologists every day ."
The perspective is even more hopeless for club operators like David Süß. In "Harry Klein" there is dancing and partying. Body contact cannot be avoided here. When the shop is full, 300 people frolic in the disco. He describes the current situation as "catastrophic". Short-time work has already been approved by Süß for his company until December.
David Süß runs the "Harry Klein" club.
© Oliver Bodmer
He no longer expects to reopen in 2020 . "This condition is life threatening for all club operators," says Süß and adds: "In the worst case, a mountain of debt will pile up that can never be paid off again."
Klaus Vick
The Corona crisis noticeably limits us despite the best weather. This also raises the question: Is it even allowed to bathe publicly this year?