The organisers of #HELPGASTRO have hailed it as a success. The initiative to sell pre-paid vouchers as emergency aid for the restaurant industry in the face of the coronavirus crisis, has sold almost 3,500 vouchers with a total value of 200,000 Swiss Francs up until the final date of June 30. Around 1,200 establishments were able to benefit from it.
An alliance made up of major partners in the catering sector has concluded that over the past few months the #HELPGASTRO initiative has been an accomplishment. “We knew we were not going to wipe the crisis away with a wave of a magic wand,” said Marcel Kreber, director of the Swiss Brewery Association (ASB). “But at least we didn’t just sit back and not help catering establishments cover their running costs.”
“We are happy to see that many participating companies were able to sell vouchers,” said Kreber about the scheme.
Feedback from the industry has been largely positive. Many operators were impressed by the solidarity shown with them by the public. Whilst the gradual reopening of catering establishments since May 11 has not ended the crisis – given the restrictions still in place – several institutions will have been able to weather the brunt of the crisis thanks to the #HELPGASTRO initiative.
The restaurant industry was the first to be heavily affected by the measures taken in connection with COVID-19.
From mid-March, the authorities enforced the closure of establishments. The lockdown put in place from March 16 to May 11 forced many establishments to go out of business.
It’s believed that there would undoubtedly have been many more bankruptcies if the #HELPGASTRO initiative had not given some relief to the crisis.
The interest for the participating establishments was, on one hand, to benefit from immediate assistance, and on the other to bring back customers once the crisis was over.
The vouchers can be redeemed until June 30, 2021. All of the revenue generated has been returned to the establishments concerned. The costs were borne by the participating partners. Personalities spontaneously gave their support, in particular stars Baschi & Trauffer, and celebrity chef Meta Hiltebrand.