With pubs and wine stores set to open in prominent areas in the Central Business District, there’s a sense of jubilation among pubgoers. The apex court’s clarification has also brought relief to the staff who were asked to go on leave as the establishments shut shop or saw 90% loss of customers, and for residents of areas like Koramangala and Indiranagar where the parties had shifted to.
Ashish Kothare, member, National Restaurants’ Association of India, and one of the promoters of Le Rock, a popular joint off Brigade Road, said that the clarification meant good tidings for the hundreds of employees who had been asked to go on leave as the pubs shut shop temporarily.
“A lot of staffers had been asked to go on leave. They will all be back soon. Many of the establishments will be working on skeletal staff for a couple of days, but things should return to normal soon,” said Mr. Kothare. This was echoed by other establishment owners as well.
For residents of Koramangala and Indiranagar, the news has brought relief. “Residents in Indiranagar and Koramangala will be happy as the extra rush of partygoers will reduce. The court should have clarified this right in the beginning, instead of wasting time and causing this pointless confusion,” said Nitin Sheshadri, president, Koramangala 3rd Block Residents’ Welfare Association.
Many partygoers too are a happy lot. “I am excited that pubs on Brigade Road will be reopening. We were waiting for this,” said Neha, a frequent visitor of these establishments.
