Dubai traffic causes problems for restaurateurs

Restaurant managers have spoken out on the problems Dubai traffic is causing for their businesses.

Dee Kyriacoudes, general manager of Rivington Grill, Souk Al Bahar, said: "On a Thursday night in Dubai Mall, not one guest after 7pm is on time. You have seven lanes going into two lanes going into one lane, and then into the Mall. If they want to come in at 7pm I know I’m not going to see them until 7.45pm. If I turn my tables, it’s fun and games for me.

Alessio Ruffoni, general manager of Frankie's, agreed: "For me in JBR, with the traffic along there, the customer can often be half an hour late."

Kyriacoudes admited that: Even with Madinat Jumeirah the parking is a nightmare. The location may be great, but if you look at the logistics of it, it’s a nightmare. If customers don’t get a taxi, they won't come."

Even the pedestrian traffic has caused problems for Rivington Grill.

"On New Year’s Eve the bridge in Souk Al Bahar was closed. There’s one bridge from the mall to Souk al Baha – it was closed from 2pm onwards, so people had to walk around the Address hotel to get to us."

When asked what she thought the solution would be, Kyriacoudes said: "We’re looking into it. There’s a couple of things we’re looking into."