Elante reopens to low footfall

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 8

Over two months after malls and restaurants in the city opened, there were more worried faces than happy.

As reported earlier in these columns, only 50 per cent of the restaurants in the city reopened today. Restaurant owners had already expressed unhappiness over the limited opening hours and prohibition on serving of alcohol.

At the Elante mall, the food court remained shut. While most other outlets at the mall were opened, the low footfall remained a cause of worry. The owners maintained that they opened their outlets as a “goodwill gesture” and the coming days were going to be hard for them. “We are not expecting any growth in the business. The shop was opened today as a goodwill gesture. Most shop owners are concerned about the future,” said the owner of a make-up outlet.

The owner of a popular brand franchisee said, “All shopkeepers are in the same boat. We have to cut our operational costs. We are also demanding relaxation in rentals. This month is crucial as far as public response is concerned.”

A stand-off between the mall management and the restaurant owners continued over the issue of paying past and future rent. A meeting was held today, but there was no outcome.

“We have asked the mall owners to let us work on the condition of paying a minimal amount for the coming months as we cannot pay fixed rentals. This pandemic has hit all of us equally. The mall owners are adamant on collecting rent. We are paying salaries to our staff and most of us have outlets in other cities too. If they continue to remain adamant, we will shut our business,” said a restaurant owner at Elante.

Air conditioners not working

A few shopkeepers alleged that the mall owners did not switch on the ACs on Monday. However, the latter maintained that the temperature was controlled between 26°C and 30°C as per the MHA guidelines.