AFTER two weeks of heavy losses with no further relaxation of the food service industry to allow in-house dining, the Trotters Restaurant Group Ltd had taken a decision to suspend all of its restaurant operations until further notice.

Suspension will go into effect from August 2 at Trotters, Buzo, Amara, Blue Star Diner and Tommy’s Restaurants.

This means that 275 more workers will be on the breadline and group owner Peter George said he foresees other restaurants taking similar action.

Underscoring that the economic damage has been immeasurable thus far, George predicted a bleak future for the country if reopening is further delayed.

“Reopening is not a strategy, it is an end game," he said.

Training his guns on Government, he said, “You can’t just play a waiting game, wait, wait and think you are going to ride out covid and then think you are going to reopen.

“It does not work that way, unfortunately. We need a road map which we don’t have.”

The decision to suspend operations was made on his Facebook page and George said that came with a heavy heart.

“Our business is predicated around world class, experiential dining and as much as we have tried, there is no viability in just curbside and take away operations.

[caption id="attachment_904494" align="alignnone" width="591"] Peter George, chairman of Trent Restaurant Group. -[/caption]

“We stand ready, if and when that time comes, to resume full dine in operations.”

He thanked customers and staff for their understanding and unwavering support, “as we remain in hope for a bright and prosperous future for our nation.”

In a subsequent interview with Newsday, George said "economics" triggered this decision.

He made it clear, “until dining reopens, the business cannot be sustained. It is very simple.”

“I am not even certain of the viability of the industry or the business when we reopen,” he said, expressing doubts.

Two weeks ago the Prime Minister announced partial reopening of the food service sector, after an initial three-months closure. At the time, George said he would monitor the situation and act accordingly.

Only four of his six restaurants were reopened. Blue Star and Trotters, San Fernando, remained closed.

On Saturday, he said, “The last couple of weeks of curb side and take away has had absolutely no impact what so ever.

“After three months of closure, it was a heavy loss operation and it made absolutely no sense to continue like this indefinitely with no idea of what is going to happen.”

He said he just could not hold on to hope every week if he envisages a chance of survival for his businesses.

“Our business is not designed for curbside. It is designed for full service dining.”

He said on Friday he had a virtual meeting via zoom with staff and informed them they would rally out the weekend and then be furloughed indefinitely until dining was an option.

He said it is never an easy option to send home staff, but if the group has any chance of survival he had to act now.

A few days ago, George issued a memo to s