Leading Caribbean buffet restaurant closes indefinitely, until council fixes burst main drain pipe!
Restaurant endures leaking main drain pipe for almost 2 years despite Newham Council being aware but now forced to close as situation deteriorated, flooding the restaurant and causing floorboard and other damage.
Caribbean Scene Family in Stratford has been forced to close its ‘eat all you can’ buffet restaurant located in Gerry Raffles Square indefinitely, after recent rains caused severe flooding and damage to kitchen and floor boards. An EHO report cited the uneven and raised flooring as posing health and safety risks for customers. The restaurant was closed on Monday, November 26th and will remain closed indefinitely until the problem has been resolved.
Other branches of the restaurant group; Caribbean Scene Quick in Westfield Shopping Centre and Caribbean Scene Royale in Royal Victoria Dock are open as usual and are taking some of the pressure by facilitating bookings and diners wanting to experience authentic Caribbean cuisine.
The Docklands branch usually provides a chic, fine dining ‘a la carte’ service but has been forced to accommodate larger bookings transferred from Stratford although only able to cater for under half the capacity available at Caribbean Scene Family.
Founder Patrick Marche. Photo courtesy caribbejan.tumblr.com
Patrick Marche, Founder and CEO commented, “It’s really disappointing to have to close just before the Christmas period which is usually our busiest time of the year.
The council has been aware of the leak for some time and we have been trying really hard to get some resolution but its like they don’t care.
Add to that the planting of the trees blocking our signage and the disinformation around the Olympics and what the authorities said it would do for business and it almost feels like we are being victimized and bullied. I feel terrible for the many staff that won’t have any work for Christmas and the effect on them and their families. I can only hope this gets resolved soon”.
Caribbean Scene Family employs approximately 40 staff of all nationalities, all of whom face redundancies at this time. Being the only ‘eat all you can’ buffet restaurant offering full Caribbean cuisine has made it a focal point for especially from BME’s but also everyone and anyone wishing to have a taste of food from the Caribbean islands. The restaurant recently hosted presentations for schools including St. Joachim and Drew Primary Schools and does quite a lot of work supporting the community at large.
With the fate of the restaurant and its staff at least over the Christmas period, now resting in the hands of Newham London Borough Council there is not much that can be done by management except to keep the public informed of any changes.
The Executive Team apologises for any inconvenience this closure may have caused and encourage current and potential customers and well wishers to call the office on the number below for any more information.
Contact: O’Neil Dennis
Mob: 07928 168 998
Caribbean Scene Family
Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, London E15 1BG
T: 020 8522 8660 F: 020 8522 8670 E: [email protected]
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