Karaoke bar goes silent

[upamfva]

Yet another well-known establishment in the City Bowl is forced to close shop permanently following great financial losses suffered during the nationwide lockdown.To get more news about Karaoke Melbourne, you can visit starsktv.com.au official website.

The Manilla Bar, which has been closed since March when the national lockdown and the alcohol ban were implemented, will not be reopening.Since opening its doors in 2013, the bar located in Green Street has been dubbed Cape Town’s premiere karaoke spot.
Leif Sobremonte, manager at the nightclub, says: “We serve a niche market and only open from 19:00 to 02:00. We didn’t even open when the (alcohol) ban was lifted because the hours were too restrictive. We rely on footfall and depend on social interaction to provide an enjoyable customer experience.”He adds that current social distancing protocols and requirements have essentially put paid to their business model.

Sobremonte says the decision to close shop was not an easy one but taken with their valued patrons in mind.“We cannot in good conscience open up and let people share the stage, sing or dance together during a pandemic.

“Our patrons’ wellbeing is our prime concern. Our loyal fans would disagree but we do realise that karaoke is a non-essential service and a very risky proposition in this current climate,” he explains.

According to Sobremonte, businesses in the famous Long Street, known for its nightclubs and restaurants, have been struggling even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.“Law enforcement has been toothless against simple pickpockets to organised crime. Covid-19 was just the nail in the coffin.”

Sobremonte says, currently, there aren’t any plans on the cards.Meanwhile, the City says it’s implementing a recovery plan to help drive life back to the Central Business District (CBD).

Mayor Dan Plato says: “These initial recovery interventions will bring much relief to businesses in the City Bowl, while our broader economic recovery plan for the whole of Cape Town is finalised by the City’s executive management and Mayco teams.”

Plato says a task team has been set up to initiate an economic recovery of the area. This task team is made up of five different workstreams to address decreased footfall, shop closures, increased criminal activity and urban decay within the CBD due to the lack of utilisation of space.An events and activation workstream that is putting together an exciting programme of events to attract people back to the CBD.

. An occupational density workstream that considers the medium- to long-term changes that will occur as a result of the changing work patterns and how the City can help the CBD adjust to this new normal.

James Vos, Mayco member for economic opportunities and asset management, says: “The City is directing initial efforts towards the CBD, as the jewel in Cape Town’s crown, not only as a tourism and investment perspective but socially too.