Since late December, the Lucky Plaza Tavern in Parow, Cape Town has been empty of life. Established in 2000 on Station Road, it usually attracts a buzz of customers who buy meat from the next-door butchery and enjoy music and a braai. But since the alcohol ban it has been quiet.
Paul de Gouveia, who owns the tavern and the butchery, says his business was hit by the first alcohol ban and he was trying to revive it when the second kicked in. To avoid job losses he had to create positions in the butchery for three employees who were running the tavern.