West Bengal polls: Off-shops get ready for manic Friday, Saturday

KOLKATA: The nearly 5,000 bars and off-shops across the state are eagerly awaiting 'Super Friday', when they can resume business after incurring losses from Monday to Thursday. During this period, the liquor and hospitality industry together suffered losses of around Rs 650 crore, of which liquor sales alone accounted for Rs 400 crore across bars and off-shops, while the rest came from food.

However, two hurdles remain. Off-shops have received verbal instructions from the excise authorities not to sell more than two bottles per customer. Bars, on the other hand, have not been granted permission for extended hours, meaning even pubs and nightclubs that usually operate till 2am must shut by 11pm. Sections of the hospitality industry are still hopeful that the Friday relaxation may be extended till Sunday night following appeals by industry representatives.



A leading liquor retailer said they had already sought help from the local police. "We have been told to sell only two bottles per customer, and that could lead to chaos. It will also be difficult to ensure that the same person does not return repeatedly for more," he said. Another Kolkata retailer said they would not issue a cash memo for purchases beyond two bottles. "If someone insists, we may sell without a cash memo," he added.

Sudesh Poddar, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI), said most restaurants have seen a 70%-80% drop in sales. "For me, business on Wednesday was just 25% of a normal mid-week day," he said. Poddar runs establishments such as Songhai, Manthan, and MS Bar and Lounge. Veteran restaurateur Charles Mantosh, who owns Waldorf, Floriana and Magnolia, said his outlets saw a 50%-60% decline. "We are hoping for good business on Friday. Along with industry bodies, I have requested excise to extend the relaxation till Sunday night," he said.

Anjan Chatterjee, chairman of Speciality Restaurants, which operates brands such as Oh! Calcutta, Mainland China, Cafe Mezzuna, Asia Kitchen and Hopi Pola, said liquor-led outlets were hit the hardest, with a 70%-80% drop in footfall and sales. "Places like Hopi Pola and Cafe Mezzuna saw a sharper fall compared to Mainland China or Oh! Calcutta, where the drop was around 40%," he said. The owner of Peter Cat, Mocambo and Peter Hu! said their decline was limited to 5%-7%, as food remains their core strength.
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