Holiday trading boom for Camps Bay
While many hotels, shopping centres and restaurants reported a slower festive season than previous years, establishments in Camps Bay appear to have been less affected by the economic slowdown, with some even recording record numbers.
According to David Solomon, chairman of Solomon Brothers Property Holdings, the owners of The Promenade in Camps Bay on the coast near Cape Town says the centre experienced a record number of vehicles entering its parking lot with a revenue increase of 31% compared to the previous year.
"While the season seemed to get off to a slow start, the last two weeks in December and first week in January were fantastic," says Solomon. He puts the improved volumes down to a number of factors including good weather, an improved tenant mix at the centre as well as Camps Bay's growing reputation among local and international visitors as the social capital of South Africa.
Solomon says a number of new up-market restaurants opened in The Promenade during 2009, including restaurants such as Pepper Club on the Beach, Bungalow and the Kove as well as the trendy hotspots - St Yves and Sapphire.
The manager of Pepper Club on the Beach, Gavin Lockitch, says the restaurant, which only opened its doors in November, enjoyed far better than expected December trade for a new establishment. "It was a mix of locals and foreigners. People are looking for places that offer good quality food and wine at reasonable prices. While there are a number of restaurants in Cape Town that are able to provide this, few are able to add the spectacular views and vibe that eateries in Camps Bay can."
He adds that the good weather during December also helped, with many beachgoers electing to pop over the road for something to eat or drink after their day in the sun. "We are very optimistic for the year, since Camps Bay's perceived off-peak season over June and July will be a season of boom due to the Soccer World Cup".
According to the managers of both Blues and Sapphire, Stefano Magni and Chris Bertie, the holiday season was a great success. "The peak season was five days shorter than usual - probably the aftermath of the world recession and the fact that some regulars to the Cape decided to rather visit the Cape for the 2010 Soccer World Cup."
Bertie says they have a number of advance bookings for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and are processing a number of enquiries for June and July. "So we are expecting to enjoy good trading levels for the whole of this year."
Pepper Club on the Beach is part of a development by Solomon Brothers Property Holdings that will see a luxury hotel residence and spa open in Cape Town soon. The 20-storey hotel will cater for business and leisure travellers. Pepper Club is billed as the first South African hotel to combine a five star hotel property in the heart of Cape Town with a multi-million rand beach club
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