“ If the restaurant business cannot open up quickly, a battlefield will arise ”

For De Reu, 2020 is his first year as chairman of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland. “And I also hope the most difficult. Over the 52 weeks, we have opened eight without restrictions. In terms of turnover, it’s dramatic.”

It is not known when the restaurant sector will be able to reopen. “We hope that if the lockout is relaxed, we can open at the same time as the retail business. Preferably in early February, or well after the carnival. If it happens after March 1, it will be a battleground. . Before the crisis. “

Summer was (partly) good

De Reu indicates that the summer has been good for part of the sector. “Especially entrepreneurs with a business in a tourist area did well in July, August and September. But inland it was more difficult. Think especially of conference centers and cafes. Their months are November and December, when shoppers come into town. It wasn’t the case now. “

Pim van Kampen, president of the Zeeland Primary Schools Umbrella Organization, said on the show that education has had a less difficult time. “The staff received a salary. When you look at the children, it’s a different story. Children should go to school, not only to learn, but also for social contact.”

Eighth grade children

In terms of learning disadvantages, it’s not too bad, except for math. “This requires an explanation from a teacher. We are also worried about the eighth graders. They will soon have to go to high school and are going through a difficult year.”

In the radio show De Zeeuwse Kamer, Frank de Reu from Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, Pim van Kampen, president of CPOZ and economic journalist Esme Bech returned to the year 2020.

Zeeuwse Kamer looks back on the economy