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Sir Walter, Elephant Bar, Boston Bar and Oh Baby Anna: Walid El Sheikh has several popular bars in Düsseldorf’s old town. All have been closed since October, but the new NRW step-by-step plan and the development of the incidence figures give the restaurateur hope that his locations will open soon *. In an interview, he tells us what the guests can expect and how things are going with his new projects such as Paradise Now in the port.
Tonight News: Opening of the outdoor catering, a new step-by-step plan: after a long compulsory break, the catering is slowly improving. What does that mean for you, your team and your locations?
Walid El Sheikh: First and foremost: To finally have a perspective again that depends on clear, external factors. We are very happy about this and let us start all preparations for an early reopening in all teams.
>> Düsseldorf clubs & bars: “The new step-by-step plan is a light at the end of the tunnel” <
In contrast to other old town hosts with a large terrace, you will only open your bars when indoor catering is also possible. If the incidence continues to fall, it could soon be like that, according to the new step-by-step plan. How are you doing here
Walid El Sheikh: In fact, I won’t open until we’re allowed to open our interiors. This is only economical for us if the rules or the hygiene requirements correspond to the concept after the first lockdown.
Our locations will still not have the original orientation, but they will go strongly in the same direction from the attitude towards life. In contrast to the other bars, the Oh Baby Anna will open as a club from September 1st at the earliest.
In some cases, the catering establishments have to look for new staff, as the employees are now working in other industries. How about you
Walid El Sheikh: We are very fortunate that the vast majority of our employees have remained loyal to us and that very few have used the time to reorient themselves. But many of them are also ready to return.
Several restaurateurs will probably also raise prices in the future – have you already thought about that?
Walid El Sheikh: We won’t raise the prices for now.
When the doors are finally open again: How will the guests react?
Walid El Sheikh: First of all you will be happy and maybe you will shed one or two tears of bliss to have something so dearly back again.
>> Outside catering in Düsseldorf reopened – photos from the first day from the old town <
Last year you launched the event “A day in the park” – a Corona-compliant picnic with music that was very well received by the guests. Are you doing something like that again this year? And are you planning further event concepts?
Walid El Sheikh: We are investigating various event formats both internally and externally, but we cannot yet say exactly what we will implement from them. One thing is certain: with our new port concept, we will also use a very large terrace that everyone can look forward to.
Speaking of Paradise Now: You are currently looking for staff with a view to an opening in the summer. Can you give us a little foretaste?
Walid El Sheikh: Nope (laughs). The guests should really be surprised.
And what about the new location next to the Boston Bar?
Walid El Sheikh: Like on a construction site (laughs).
When you look back over the past few months, what did you take away from this difficult time?
Walid El Sheikh: I learned to meditate and I realized that I no longer need new vehicles (smiles). And how important it is to give yourself a structure for the daily routine in a seemingly lost time. This keeps the mind clear and the head free. In other words: Autogenic training for a strong mindset helps through every crisis.
Looking ahead to summer, what are you particularly looking forward to?
Walid El Sheikh: Enjoy the sun with lots of ice cream and the return of social life.
>> Düsseldorf: These are the best ice cream parlors and ice cream parlors <
* Information on the new NRW step-by-step plan
The updated Corona Protection Ordinance, which has been in force since May 28, contains three levels of incidence values, which provide for different opening steps for the municipalities. Level 1 for a new infection rate of less than 35 calculated for 100,000 inhabitants within seven days, level 2 with a seven-day incidence of 35 to 50 and level 3 for an incidence of 50 to 100. This means the following for the catering industry: it remains at level 3 in outdoor catering with tests. In level 2 the following applies: outside without a test, inside with.
>> Düsseldorf: These restaurants have the test station with them
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