Entrepreneur Lockdown Diaries: Crawfords Beach Lodge

Who are you and what kind of business do you run?
Crawfords Beach Lodge is a family-run business that has been operating since 1976. Located along the Wild Coast, about 42 km from East London, we offer stunning views of the Indian Ocean. We are easily accessible from the East London airport and are a popular stopover for overseas tours heading to Cape Town or Durban.

Why do you love what you do?
The Crawford family has been in the hotel business for over 50 years, working in various Wild Coast hotels and making lasting friendships. Our returning guests have now introduced their children and grandchildren to our family resort. Our staff is local, many of whom have risen to management and senior chef positions over the years. We cherish the business because it has allowed our children to grow up with us, rather than leaving to work elsewhere.

How is your business affected by the lockdown?
The lockdown has greatly impacted our business, as all our overseas tour operators have had to cancel. Our Easter holiday guests could not fulfill their reservations, and weddings and conferences have been either canceled or postponed.

What are your thoughts on how COVID-19 is affecting the small business sector at large?
Small business operators will struggle to regain their footing, as many people won't be able to afford weekends and holidays until their own businesses are operational again.

What support have you received from the private/public sector, if any?
So far, we have not received much financial support, but we have been granted a payment holiday on our working capital loan from Merchant Capital, which typically helps us grow our offerings. As a non-essential business, we continue to seek funding to ensure we can re-emerge post-lockdown.

What are you currently doing to ensure business continuity and that you re-emerge stronger after the lockdown has lifted?
We have requested to increase the bond on one of our buildings that was set to be paid off in October. We are actively advertising online and on social media to keep our guests informed about our activities through Facebook posts. We also plan to renovate one of our sea-view buildings into a wedding and function venue, as we believe weddings will continue even during challenging times.

What is your advice for other business owners?
Ask your bank or financial institution to pause their debits until your business reopens. Seek funding from various institutions and apply for UIF payments for your staff. Use this time to reinvent yourself and focus on the positives.

How do we get in touch and support you during this time?
As a non-essential service, we cannot accommodate guests currently, but we are available to answer questions or booking inquiries for after the lockdown. Visit our website at www.crawfordsbeachlodge.co.za or email us at info@crawfordsbeachlodge.co.za for more information. You can also follow us on social media, where we continue to showcase our beautiful lodge and engage with our community:

• Instagram: @crawfordsbeachlodge
• Facebook: @CrawfordsBeachLodge
• Twitter: @CrawfordsLodge

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