An Insight Into..:2519
Gonzo’s Tea Room - Running A Cafe/Lounge/Restaurant/ Nightclub In A Pandemic Age
22/03/21
Gonzo's Tea Room! Whether you're a foodie, a boozer, a dancer or a tea drinker you'll find something to love about Gonzo's, from a night of debauchery to a civilised cuppa up in the roof garden. But how have they fared in the past year? How have they managed to keep going? We spoke to lovely Mike from Gonzo's about all the ups and downs of the last 12 months.
What was your expectation when the first lockdown was announced in March 2020?
Honestly we had no idea, information was so vague. Everyone knew it wasn't good, but I don't think anyone expected to be sitting here a year later. A lot of people have experienced a lot of hurt this year whether it's physical, financial or mental. I just can't wait to see people smiling again.
Over the last 12 months, you have still carried out a number of changes and improvements to Gonzo’s. Can you share some of the improvements with us?
Finances were an absolute mess and it could’ve cost me my home as well as my business, but thanks to the kindness of friends and people in the industry; a lot of credit was given by our contractors. Workmen did a lot of work for free, knowing that it would be at least a year before I could start paying it off. I'll be paying it off for the next ten years I'm sure, but we were able to cover a lot of our garden exterior making it viable in any weather. If we didn't do this over the winter, we simply wouldn't have made it out of this.
How did you find operating during the tier system?
Tier 1 - Once the tiers came in, we started getting killed, 10pm curfew changed everything and hurt us badly, we tried to not let it affect our staff but overnight our takings halved and were suddenly the same as our payroll. They say restaurants are always 1 bad month away from doom anyway, when the tiers came in the government showed they could do it in one. It took things from viable to absolutely gone. Bookings were a nightmare and suddenly our kitchen had to try and serve a meal to every customer in the building every 90 minutes. We also had to get the last meal in and get people out the door by 10pm or face losing our license. Our kitchen team were amazing but there was only so much we could expect them to do. You would wake up to new government plans weekly and have two days to completely revamp a menu to try and serve under the rules. Everyone did their best but, it definitely led to some mistakes, especially during the madness of December.
Tier 3 - Absolutely inoperable, there's no other way to put it
It must have been hard to operate under the restrictions without losing money, considering all the other aspects you had to put in place?
It was impossible to operate without losing money - we lost pretty much every penny and it's like starting all over again.
I believe your take away service carried on as allowed during restrictions- how has that gone?
Takeaways aren't our goal, our food was always meant to be served in the restaurant at it's best, but we appreciate how much Norwich has supported us and out team. The takeaways don’t make money for us, however it’s allowed us to keep people employed and to keep some parts of the restaurant supply chain alive as well. People need to know it’s not just us that get hurt in this - butchers, bakers, small distillers and brewers have all been hit massively.
Your preferred delivery service is a local provider - is that so?
We set it up to deliver everything ourselves. We are on the big apps as they’re unavoidable, but we still won't touch Deliveroo after their issues. One thing we’d ask everyone to remember is that you can call most places direct. Many have a discount for doing so. When you do this, money stays here in Norwich as opposed to going into the next Just Eat commercial with Snoop Dogg.
In what ways has the pandemic affected your thinking on your business?
It's made me several times wish I could just lie down and hide really. But so many people have had it worse and I know that, so when I can I'll reopen and work hard to get life back on track.
How have your staff have coped and what have they been doing to help support and maintain the business during the lockdowns?
Our staff have had a very hard time. They've been incredible and supportive. However, when we had to close our company right before the second lockdown, it meant they missed the furlough cutoff. There was no way of knowing, but it was terrible. I appealed and even got the support of Clive Lewis in our appeals, but to no avail. I've worked so hard on the delivery and opening things like Holy Guacamole just so I can employ as many people as possible during lockdown, but it was truly the worst part of all of this for me.
How have you kept peace and calm during this difficult time?
Honestly, I can't say I have. The stress got so bad I lost a tooth from unconciously grinding my teeth. My wife's been amazing though and the kids make it so you can't help but smile and realize what's really important though.
How has it affected your personal values?
I like everyone we realize the importance of the family and friends we've missed and lost. I've lost family and friends during this. I'll focus on my business coming out of this, but I'll be making more time than ever for my family.
What, if any, positives have you found coming out of the pandemic?
I got better at DIY and realized Zoom meetings may actually be more convenient in the future.
What do you think you will change as a result of the pandemic experience?
I'm sure many things will, but all I hope is that life can have some normality again.
Looking forward, what are your hopes and expectations?
I just want to see friends on the dancefloor again.
All the work you put into the roof garden will hopefully bear fruit?
We expect it to be pretty popular this year that's for sure. An Aperol up on the terrace sounds good right now.
What will live events look like for your venues as you go into 2021?
It's definitely a watch this space, we've talked to some artists about some really special stuff.
Norwich has a strong independent business scene; do you think this is going to help in the recovery?
I sincerely hope it does, I know how bad a lot of them have been hurt in this and I can't wait until I have a bit of money to get lunch at Frank's or a drink at Blue Joanna etc. To all the other indies out there, I hope you come back stronger than ever.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Support the independents, even if it's not us. Eat lunch in the market, shop in The Lanes, go to gigs and be normal, because you never know when normal won't be here.
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