Cafes know their beans

CUSTOMERS can be assured local eateries are up to date on all the latest COVID-related requirements, says one Hobart business owner, as another reveals the abuse levelled at his staff.

Whisk and Co cafe owner Danny Veis said he loved being in the hospitality industry, but businesses were having to go to great lengths to survive and comply with everchanging restrictions, social distancing practices and council regulations.

He said the Lenah Valley eatery had been visited in the space of about a week by Hobart City Council officers twice; WorkSafe Tasmania did an inspection and police also visited to check compliance after a complaint from a member of the public.

“People are not always sure what the rules and regulations are, but they still think they do so it’s important they get the facts before jumping to conclusions and wasting the time of the police and council,” he said.

Mr Veis said with the help of Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Alderman Marti Zucco he had eventually convinced the council to change his permit for outdoor seating to move the tables and chairs about three metres from where they were originally agreed to be placed.

He said the new set-up allowed for better social distancing.

Meanwhile, the “fed up” owner of North Hobart’s Born in Brunswick, Con Vailas, took to social media this week, posting about “people and their impatience and thinking it’s OK to abuse either myself or my staff. It’s been hard enough as it is throughout this covid period,” he wrote.

“We’ve had to adapt, adjust and change the way we do things, but we have remained resilient and our doors have remained opened this whole entire time, even adding in a day of trade.

“We live in a fast paced world. People are increasingly time poor and more stressed or plain rude.

“All we ask is to please practise some common courtesy, kindness and understanding during this time.

“If you are rude, we will be rude back and don’t be shocked by this as we don’t tolerate any kind of sh#t behaviour.”