The paradox of the Czech pub: when it attracts a lot of people to the window, it does not get support

“A significant help would be, following the example of other European countries, for example, to reduce VAT on window sales with you,” says Ferencová. But they can’t count on such help yet.

“According to the information available to me, aid in this direction has not yet been withdrawn, and the new aid model consists of four pillars – antivirus, two programs of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and a new compensation bonus,” Finance Ministry spokesman Michal Žurovec told Deník.

Even the Ministry of Industry and Trade does not give much hope for easing conditions to breweries and restaurants. “The proposal for new compensation programs COVID 2021 and COVID – Uncovered costs was approved by the government. Here, too, it was true that the parameters were discussed with professional organizations. It can be assumed that any changes would also have to go through the government, “Ministry spokeswoman Štěpánka Filipová told Deník.

They hope to relax the restrictions

The operators of many restaurants, which had to close by decision of the government, believe that the ministers will relax the existing restrictions at least during the spring. Otherwise, they are often worried about their continued existence. According to them, state aid is completely insufficient, and they are kept alive by the dispensing windows. “It’s the only income we have,” Monika Bubeníková from the Svatojánský dvůr restaurant in Prague told Deník.

Due to the fact that her family company bought the business premises, she is not entitled to rent relief. “But we still have mortgages. The load we put on so we don’t have to be rented is still running, and no one will help us with it, “complained Bubeníková. “Although they waited for us to repay, but because of that the interest increased again, so it actually made our situation worse,” she explained.

Breweries also dislike the fact that compensation for employees only applies to full-time employees. “Compensation for employees will only apply to full-time employees, which again disadvantages those who tried to keep co-workers in difficult times, at least for a part-time job,” Ferencová reminded.

Her words from her own practice are confirmed by the innkeeper Bubeníková. “The contribution for employees was absolutely insufficient and people usually solved it by finding some other brigades and leaving us for work,” she stated.

According to the innkeepers, only compensation for lost profits would bring real help from the state. “Due to the electronic records of sales, it has exact numbers, how much money it was,” Bubeníková explained. Her company now lives day by day, the family has to borrow money from acquaintances. “But we don’t want to give up if there is at least some recovery in the spring,” she said. According to her, real estate is already blowing up chances of cheap purchases of pub buildings during the current crisis. “They have already contacted us from companies that call restaurants, and we have received an offer. If we want to sell, they are ready, “she added.

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