Covid kills Bob’s jol
|Published
CLOSED FOR GOOD: Bob’s District Six
A popular Cape Town nightclub has shut its doors permanently after being unable to recover from the lockdown.
The owner of Bob’s District Six, John Davidson, broke the news on Facebook on Wednesday when he wrote: “With a sad heart, we have to admit defeat.
“With Covid-19 and the restrictions put on us by the government, Bob’s District Six will not reopen. “This means Bob’s District Six has closed for good. We thank all of our amazing customers and amazing DJs for all the good times over the past three years.”
John, who also owns Bob’s Bar Long Street, says he is shattered by the decision but he had no choice.
“Long Street will stay open, but District Six is officially closed since Monday, 23 November. We have to be out by 31 December.
“It was a difficult decision to make, but I’ve tried all I could to save it. Unfortunately my attempts were in vain.”
John had tried turning the jol into a coffee shop in October to try and cover the bills, including the hefty R90 000 monthly rental.
“We tried a different business venture but it didn’t work, we opened a coffee shop which didn’t last long,” he says.
“I’m so deep in debt, it’s unbelievable, the banks are chasing me to repay loans.
“I’ve made a hefty loan to pay out my 21 staff members, I am fortunate to have had the staff absorbed into the Long Street branch.”
John says the decision to close wasn’t entirely based on finance but the reality is that businesses won’t be able to operate the same way again, even when the government allows nightclubs to reopen.
“It wasn’t about the R90 000 rent per month, it’s about how the government treats nightclubs, some things are not possible. They are all divided with what is law.
“I feel sore, it’s so much money and hard work that went into it.
“I’m not the only one losing out, many other businesses I know of in the CBD have had to close.
“At least I’m able to keep [the] Long Street [business] that I have for 10 years now, which I’m grateful for.”