Brothel’s big Horn fight night Stimulus package faces test
THE first brothel to operate in Townsville for six years is about to test our discretionary spending and stimulus measures.
If the pump priming by the government is any guide, The Seven Veils should do quite well.
Madam Kay Lyons said she was no economist but they were excited about the prospects.
“There’s a lot of construction work and we have the Army base. Then, of course, there’s the (Jeff Horn) fight on our opening night, so there’s got to be a lot of blokes in town,” Ms Lyons said.
“All things taken into consideration, there has not been a brothel operating here for nearly six years. One would hope the men will be welcoming us with open arms or open wallets.”
The Seven Veils will open on Wednesday, the same night that Jeff Horn takes on Tim Tszyu in Townsville in what is being billed as boxing’s biggest fight of the year.
AEC Group senior economist Jonathan Pavetto said COVID-19, undoubtedly, had impacted Townsville’s economy, particularly in tourism and hospitality, but that government stimulus measures were “good news” for retailers and “specialty” outlets.
“There’s plenty of money coming through the economy, there’s Jobkeeper, Jobseeker and people are withdrawing money from their super,” Mr Pavetto said.
“The Federal Government is pumping a lot of money into the economy. Some people will have more to spend than they previously had and there’s more discretionary money going into the economy than would normally be the case.”
While not commenting directly on the prospects for The Seven Veils, Mr Pavetto said the stimulus measures were sorely needed. “It’s important we have that money for the economy. The Federal Government is doing the right thing but it’s artificial.”
Mr Pavetto said business was about making the best of a situation. “There’s always opportunities in business, whether the economy is going well or not. The businesses that survive are the ones that innovate and offer products that people want to buy,” Mr Pavetto said.
The Seven Veils does not appear to be that innovatory. In fact, a mix up by the phone company led to a need for its business cards to be reprinted.
“There’s a few cards floating around with the wrong number,” Ms Lyons lamented.
Otherwise, they are confident, COVID-19 restrictions considered, of buoyant times.
“We are hoping opening night is a big success, We are ready and rarin’ to go,” she said.