SWEET RETURN FOR SHOPS
Some restrictions for businesses, individuals ease
EATERIES, clothing stores and homeware shops are expected to throw open their doors at Cairns shopping centres this weekend as corona restrictions ease up, with one centre expecting a slow yet strong lift in trade.
From midnight on Friday, shopping for non-essential items will be permitted in Queensland, following a low number of COVID-19 cases recorded statewide in recent days.
Family picnics and weekend drives within 50km of home will also be allowed, and some national parks, including Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands, will be open.
For Jackley's Bakehouse owner Dale Jackley, whose Mount Sheridan-based business has been operating online for more than a month, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement was music to his ears.
He said he had to stand down all but two of his 13 staff, but now expected them all to be able to return to the store.
“We definitely got hit hard by the whole thing, which started with refunds and cancellations of pre-ordered birthday cakes – that was a hit to start with,” he said.
“Then the lower numbers through the shop was another hit.
“In the meantime, we came up with new products, but we want to get all our staff back on board and open back up as soon as we can.”
Mt Sheridan Plaza centre manager Angela Liversage said it was too early to know how many retailers would be reopening at the shopping centre this weekend.
But Ms Liversage said she expected a slow, strong recovery across the centre, starting next week.
“We will commence communication with our retailers to look at viability of operating under social distancing conditions and overheads,” she said. “Another consideration will be how the local economy has been affected with loss of jobs, cash flow and home schooling.”
Cairns Central centre manager Christie-Lee Jackson expected more than half the centre’s stores to be open next week.
“We’ll continue to support them to trade flexibly and adjust their opening hours as needed,” she said.
While restrictions were being lifted by the State Government, the centre would maintain its infection control measures, she said.
Stockland head of retail Michelle Abbey said the government’s announcement recognised the role retail town centres played in supporting local economies like Cairns.
“This is an important first step in helping many of our retailers to re-open their doors,” she said.
… WE WANT TO GET ALL OUR STAFF BACK ON BOARD AND OPEN BACK UP AS SOON AS WE CAN JACKLEY'S BAKEHOUSE OWNER DALE JACKLEY