Covid closes restaurant
A CITY centre restaurant is the latest victim of the pandemic, announcing the “heartbreaking” decision to close as the impact of Covid-19 left the owners unable to trade.
Other CBD traders have spoken about their fears the Omicron wave might be the final nail in the coffin after years of struggling to stay afloat through the pandemic, but a business advocate says there are positive signs.
Flinders St restaurant Matte Black Violet was met with wide acclaim when it opened in early 2020, despite the first rumblings of a global health crisis.
The elegant eatery, which earned itself a prestigious Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat award, will mark its last day of trading on Sunday.
“The most recent and current Covid-19 outbreak has caused us a shortage with staff, supplies and also customers,” a post shared on the restaurant’s Facebook page said. “Because of this, we are unable to trade any further and have made the heartbreaking decision to close our doors.”
When the Bulletin called a staff member confirmed the venue would shut later this week.
Townsville Chamber of Commerce CEO Ross Mclennan said CBD businesses were hurting as the impact of Covid-19 was compounded by longstanding issues in the city centre.
“The whole economy at the moment is rattled because of confidence and staffing,” he said.
“(In) the CBD it is a bit of a double whammy.
“When people are dispersed, working from home … that has catastrophic effects on foot traffic and in turn that moves into the viability of the businesses.”
Mr Mclennan said support came from all three levels of government in the first wave of the pandemic in March 2020, but was yet to arrive this time.
“We will see (businesses close) and every time you see this happen that is someone’s livelihood, that is someone’s family,” he said.
“Businesses that have got through the past 12 months or two years are probably well positioned and have a good skillset to continue on.
“Yes this is very, very difficult at the moment but … the underlying fundamentals of the market (are) still quite strong.”
The LNP has called on the state government to release a business support package to prevent more small and family businesses closing their doors for good.
Opposition small and family business spokesman Brent Mickelberg said a business support package was needed.
“For many businesses who’ve been fighting for two years to stay afloat, a support package will be the difference between whether they survive or not,” he said.