PUBLIC NEEDED TO SAVE JOBS

RESTAURATEURS have appealed to people, if they are healthy and don’t need to self-isolate, to continue to dine out to preserve jobs.

The call comes as Townsville Enterprise warns millions of dollars in spending has been lost to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jam and Bridgewater owner Matt Merrin said a drastic reduction in patronage was occurring and without public support jobs would be lost.

“What we are asking for is for the community to come back out. If you are healthy and want to enjoy (yourselves) come out and support local businesses, local restaurants,” Mr Merrin said.

Owner of Shaw & Co, Courtyard and Shorehouse Jamie Fitzpatrick, who employs 90 people, said it was important for people to understand they are open.

“What is really, really important at the moment is that we maintain cash flow,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Touch of Salt proprietor Mark Brine said they were staying positive, introducing takeaway services but needed people to continue to dine out

“This year was going to be a record breaker for us, in restaurant and catering space, we were looking at unprecedented numbers. All of a sudden the handbrake has been put on,” Mr Brine said.

Townsville Enterprise Tourism & Events Director Lisa Woolfe said the hospitality industry had been in free fall.

“At the moment, it is still safe to go out. If you are healthy and you are not seeing any symptoms and not in isolation, we are really encouraging people to get out and support our local businesses, eat in the local restaurants, shop in our local retail and get out and support our tourism operators while we still can,” Ms Woolfe said.