Hout Bay restaurant Veldt DBE has started a crowdfunding campaign for its staff after the popular eatery burnt down last Friday afternoon.
The fire has halted business indefinitely for the restaurant which replaced Cheyne’s after the latter closed its doors in October 2024.
Meanwhile, the nearby Ice Dream Italian ice-cream parlour also reportedly caught fire, but has resumed business.
Ice Dream is a family-run gelateria which has been serving the local community since the 1990s.
Help with staff salaries
The crowdfunding campaign has a goal of R150 000 to help fund the December salaries of staff.
At the time of the publishing R40 370 has been raised.
The crowdfunding page stated: ‘We are incredibly grateful that no one was injured during the event and thank everyone who has been sending their support our way and continues to offer their help in this situation.
‘The fire has greatly affected the team. Daily life has been put on pause as we process the situation and figure out our steps moving forward. In the uncertainty of it all we kindly ask for your support towards the staff salaries for the upcoming month to help us come back even stronger than before.’
‘Devastated’
In an Instagram post last Friday, Veldt wrote: ‘It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the news that our beloved Veldt restaurant was devastated by fire this afternoon.
‘We are devastated – still in shock, still taking in the reality of what has happened – but profoundly grateful that no one was hurt.
‘In the midst of this heartbreak, we’ve been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, concern and the countless offers of help. Only Hout Bay can rally the way you do, and your support means more to us than we can express.
‘Over the next few days, we’ll take time to assess the situation and figure out our next steps. We’re so sorry for all the bookings we’re unable to honour, and we appreciate your understanding as we find our way through this difficult moment.
Thank you for holding us up.
With love,
The Veldt Team
At the time of publishing, there has been no confirmation as to the cause of the fire.
