COMMODORE on the Park finally swung open its dining room doors to guests on Friday despite confusion over restrictions nearly quashing their plans.
When news first came through that restaurants were allowed to host 10 guests, the popular Mount Gambier hospitality business started accepting bookings.
However, after breaking down the complex rules regarding which licensed venues were allowed to operate, general manger Tom Kosch, pictured right, rang several guests to cancel their bookings for Friday dinner.
Soon after, Premier Steven Marshall’s announcement at 4.30pm gave all licensed venues the green light to host 10 people for a meal and alcoholic beverage.
“We have got quite complex licensing schemes and unbeknownst to us, opening on Friday evening was not an option for us until later in the afternoon,” he said.
“Fortunately we were able to contact all those guests who we had previously cancelled only a few hours before and a lot of them re-booked to come in for Friday night dinner.”
After being forced to close suddenly in mid-March when strict restrictions were put in place, two months on Mr Kosch said it was pleasing to see guests walk back through the doors.
“It was great to have people walk through the door again and the support we have had from the local community as well as guests travelling into town who are excited to hear that our restaurant is back open,” he said.
“We are excited to get into some more regular trading of our restaurant,” he said.
“We will be focused on maintaining the social-distancing measures and correct service aspects that have been guided by our national industry bodies.”
Mr Kosch praised his guests over the weekend and the wider community for continuing to heed the advice from the government, which has help fast-track the easing of restrictions.
“All members of the general public have been more wary of maintaining and respecting the guidelines that have been put in place,” he said.
“I think it is going to become the way of life for the next while and all our customers have been respectful of what we have had to do to get the doors back open.”
