Gut feeling: Spur worried about its performance in KZN due to beach safety concerns

With public concern mounting about the safety of Durban’s beaches over December due to persistently high levels of E. coli, Spur Corporation says it is worried about the impact the fallout could have on its franchisees in KwaZulu-Natal.

Speaking to News24 after the group’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Friday, CEO Val Nichas said the company - which owns brands such as Spur, RocoMamas and John Dory’s - was "worried" about KwaZulu-Natal and expected "either a flat performance or a negative performance" due to the ongoing concerns about the beaches.

"We believe that some customers have already changed their holiday destinations. Others are going to come to KZN but they maybe going to go to the south coast which we know isn’t as impacted [as Durban’s main beaches and parts of north coast]. Some are simply changing holiday plans or staying at home."