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."
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.