The Boat Ramp Eatery on Napier coast hit by sinkhole in deck: 'It's kind of like the Titanic'

oastal erosion at Ahuriri's recently rebranded The Boat Ramp has caused a hollow beneath its deck to form, "halving" the outdoor seating capacity while it's repaired. Photo / Paul Taylor

David Hodson needs his Napier restaurant's outdoor seating right now more than ever.

But he's got a problem he's likening to the "Titanic" - part of it has sunk into the sea.

The recently rebranded The Boat Ramp in Napier, beside the Hawke's Bay Sports Fishing Club on Nelson Quay, has had its seating capacity halved in recent days by a hollow that has formed underneath the deck.

At a time when Covid-19 restrictions are forcing many diners outside, it's a cruel blow.

Hodson, The Boat Ramp's operations manager, said the coastal erosion of the deck area, which could normally seat about 40 people, meant they could now only hold about 20 people.

"It's kind of like the Titanic. That's thousands of dollars a day we've lost because of that hole."

The hollow has halved outdoor seat at Ahuriri's The Boat Ramp at a time when Covid-19 restrictions have pushed more diners outdoors. Photo / Paul Taylor

Under current Covid-19 alert level 2 restrictions, maximum occupancy rates in hospitality businesses are limited to just 50 diners indoors and a max of 100 with outside seating.

It was especially painful given they had recently rebranded from The Jandal, adding they had had a tough time with Covid-19 and the refurbishment.

"We are absolutely devastated," Hodson said.

"We've just relaunched everything ready for summer.

He said the lockdown had delayed their refurbishment, turning a 10-day job into a two-month task.

"Now we are dealing with Covid-19 world and Covid-19 dining.

"For this to happen is just a massive impact on our business."

Operations manager David Hodson said the formation of the hole was "absolutely devastating" and would result in thousands of dollars in lost income. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hodson said it would mean a "massive loss of income" for the next three to four weeks.

"It's affected our business so, so much.

"We were about to have a busy weekend and now we can't."

For those cycling or walking past, the area now "looked like a building site" with a large digger at the front entrance, he said.

He wanted people to know they were still open, adding "it's safe".

"We do have some outdoor seating which is 110 per cent safe.

"We need to get back on track and have the support of the community."

The owner of the business was working through insurance and Hodson hoped it would be resolved in the next few weeks.