MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The 35 employees of La Peron Visskerm, which suffered a structural fire on Sunday 12 October, will be supported.
This was confirmed by the restaurant's owners, Dietlof Henn and Dean van der Walt.
Henn and Van der Walt told Mossel Bay Advertiser their staff will be accommodated by other businesses in Mossel Bay, including the Diaz Hotel.
While the future of La Peron's staff has now more or less been secured, the patrons are mourning the loss of their beloved restaurant.
La Peron was meant to celebrate its 10th year this weekend, but those celebrations have been put on hold.
La Peron’s kitchen is one of the two areas that suffered significant damage in the fire. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz
The kitchen and Butcher's Crossing Grill House are the two areas most affected by the fire, during which the roof had also collapsed.
The December period is usually when La Peron, like most businesses in Mossel Bay, see an increase in activity.
"People used to come here all the time. We had regular customers daily. Not just during the holiday period, but the whole year," said Van der Walt.
Although most of La Peron's seating area is in good condition, it cannot be opened to the public due to the health and safety risks the damaged parts of the building pose.
Henn and Van der Walt said they don't foresee the restaurant opening anytime soon. "It would be a miracle if that was possible," said Henn.
However, both confirmed their main priority is to eventually do so. "We are 100% planning to reopen," they said.
The cause of the fire, as well as the full extent of the damages, has yet to be determined as the investigation is still under way.
La Peron Visskerm will be closed until further notice.
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