Open for business — Albany eateries ready for resurgence as restrictions relaxed

The buzz is returning to the heart of Albany as eateries across the city prepare to re-open their doors to customers on Monday. After border closures and social-distancing restrictions left York Street and Stirling Terrace unusually empty, businesses were given a boost on Sunday when Premier Mark McGowan announced the State would enter the second phase of its roadmap to recovery. From Monday, the State’s pubs, cafes, hotels and restaurants can seat up to 20 customers for meal service under the four square metres social-distancing rule. Not only can locals enjoy a sit-down cuppa at their favourite venue, but the region can now welcome holiday-makers and families when travel resumes between the Great Southern, South West, Wheatbelt, Peel and Perth regions. On York Street, new cafe owner Alwyn Grove is more excited than most to kickstart dine-in services. After taking the reins of the York Street Cafe in late March, he enjoyed just one day of trade before the State’s tough COVID-19 restrictions brought the industry to a grinding halt. “It’s a horrible time,” Mr Grove said. “No one had a crystal ball and no one knew it was coming or it would hit us that hard.” Despite the rocky start, Mr Grove has used the time to revamp, repaint and reorganise — just in time to seat patrons on Monday. “We have had a lot of local, great, loyal support so far and hopefully as restrictions ease we will have more and more people in the cafe,” he said. “I think it is crucial that everybody does their part to do the right thing and make sure everybody stays safe.” Six Degrees venue manager Geoff Waldeck said he was excited to feel the energy return to the usually bustling Stirling Terrace. The venue will continue its new takeaway service and open the doors for locals itching for a pint and a bite. “I miss the chaos, I miss the energy, I miss the live music,” Mr Waldeck said. “I miss the back and forth with customers and just trying to make sure they enjoy the experience — then me going home tired and thinking it was just wonderful.” Mr Waldeck said he hoped to see live music back in action as soon as August. One door down, Gourmandise & Co owner Xavier Poupel said it would be a slow return to normal as many businesses remained confused by the constant changes. “We absolutely don’t know what to expect -— we are going into a fog and we just have to open and see what happens,” he said. Mr Poupel said the cafe would continue to open once a week for takeaway on Saturday and would decide on a plan of action in June. “We just have to go with the flow,” he said. “Luckily in the last two weeks when we have opened we have been bombarded, people are coming from all over the place.” At The White Star Hotel, owner David Steytler said the business would make a cautious return but would welcome customers to dine-in next week. “We are still going to keep our reduced hours and a reduced menu,” he said. “We’ll try to do really well and make sure the small amount of people that come in have a good experience — but it is long way from business as usual. “We just need to be taking steps forward, even if they are little steps — we can’t afford to be going backwards. “We need to encourage people across all industries to support local as best as they can.”