pune many bars are yet to get back their clients lost during the liquor ban three months after the prohibitions was liftedfootfall at many bars and restaurants serving liquor has dipped by 3050 in comparison to the same period last year restaurateurs stressed their business had been in doldrums even after the ban was lifted because many clients shifted to other watering holes and some discovered taking tipple home was more pocketfriendlyganesh shetty the president of pune restaurants and hoteliers association praha told toi that the average drop in customer footfall in general had been 30 in restaurants affected by the ban earlier had the ban continued for a shorter duration it would not have happened in the long gap of five months customers loyalty changed newer joints have been coming up across the city too around 30 licences were issued this month to new lounges and bars this has resulted in people flocking to new eateries and bars said shettyhe added the increase in excise duty on liquor also affected the footfall in restaurants many are buying tipple and drinking at home to save moneyneerav panchamia president poona hoteliers association said the business of many restaurants and hotels had not bounced back even after the ban was lifted customers found out different hangouts not affected by the ban when these establishments were closed the gst added to peoples paranoia both these issues have been a double whammy for restaurants especially those affected by the ban he said adding that footfall at his restaurant had dipped by 30 in comparison to the same period last yeararoop chatterjee food and beverage manager four points by sheraton pune said the business bounced back to an extent after the liquor ban was lifted but not as expected there is a decline over the last year as people have started going to new places which were operating during the ban footfall has dipped by 35 to 40 corporate customers have come back to us and hotels have seen a rise in corporate events but the business is still sluggish partly due to gst as well said chatterjeepresident of hotel and restaurant association of western india hrawi dilip datwani said that footfall across hotels and restaurants was down by 20 even after the ban was lifted there has been a lot of confusion due to gst hotels are sceptical about footfall picking up in the upcoming christmasnew year period as the economy seems to be experiencing a slowdown he said