Portmore businesses suffering under SOE

The past three months have been sort of a struggle for restaurants, bars, and lounges in Portmore, says Phillipe Edwards, director of Buzzers Sports & Arcade Lounge, located in Congreve Park.

St Catherine, the parish in which Portmore falls, is currently under a state of emergency (SOE), and establishments like clubs, fast-food restaurants, and places that operate under a tavern licence must close by 11 p.m.

"Business like mine have been suffering under the SOE," Edwards told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Persons either come in grab, and go or they don't come at all in fear of being harassed by lawmen on the streets... it has not fared well."

Edwards said that he has tried several strategies, including a happy hour, to boost customer turnout but that they have not been successful.

"Our efforts to get them out have proven futile as persons are typically just arriving at their homes between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.. By the time they go home, shower and come out, it is time to close.

"We are all hoping it will do well during the Christmas holiday period, especially with indications that the hours will return to normalcy for the month of December," he continued.

Similarly, Careem Mullings, a restaurateur in Kingston and St Catherine, explained that customers are avoiding coming out to even 'grab and go'.

"People do not want to dine anymore, it is takeout only, and while we do not currently have a happy hour set at either locations, 876 Terrace in Portmore suffers from the SOE," Mullings said.