POPULAR SHOPPING CENTRE DESERTED
PACIFIC Fair has felt the effects of new restrictions taking place from midnight last night, leaving businesses shutting their doors or struggling to stay afloat.
The new regulations meant beauty salons in the centre had their last day of trading on Wednesday, joining the pubs, gyms and Event Cinema that closed from Monday. The centre’s food court The Patio is still running with only takeaway and delivery from the businesses available.
Scott Lee is the Pacific Fair franchisee operator of Mad Mex and said he’s frustrated how the Prime Minister worded what is happening at food courts.
“I understand he meant seating at food courts are closed,” he said.
Ben and Jerry’s employee Sasha Battle, 18, said her work hours had halved and she has lost her other work at Benowa Tavern.
“It is obviously a hard time, some people have gone from 30 hours down to five or 10,” she said. “There has been no foot traffic, it looks like the whole of Pac Fair is shut but it is not.”
Lucy Hooton spent her last day on the Coast getting a coffee from her favourite cafe in Pacific Fair. The 21-year-old is heading back to the family farm in NSW after she lost her retail job.
“It’s amazing how quiet it is and how many small independent stores are closed already,” Mr Hooton said.
From today Woolworths in Harbourtown will open from 11am to 6pm daily, operating as a priority delivery hub outside of those hours. Woolworths said this will help provide extra home deliveries to the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and people in mandatory isolation. Those customers can access the service through priority assistance online.