Venues scramble to survive amid shutdown

It is a frightening time for bars and restaurants with COVID-19 plunging the future of many local businesses into unprecedented uncertainty. At midday yesterday, venues around the city closed their on-site dining options and became takeaway or delivery only. Some, such as the Albany Hotel and The Albany Club, have made the tough decision to close their doors altogether. Several venues are adapting and offering takeaway services for the first time to keep some money coming in. After Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s announced on Sunday that a raft of businesses would be forced to close, social media was flooded with local business owners sharing their thoughts as they reduced or suspended services. Six Degrees, Lime 303, Pepper and Salt, and Garrison are some of the eateries to launch their first takeaway services. Six Degrees owner Anton Davey said the new restrictions had not surprised him and they had got their takeaway menu up and running last week in anticipation. He had gone from 38 staff to eight staff overnight, letting 30 of his casual employees know they would not be needed until dining returned to“normal”. “I don’t have any work, and no work, no income,” he said. “If the takeaway doesn’t work for the first two weeks, we will have no choice, we will have to shut. It is simply about surviving. “I look at the world, and I say if we shut for six months we will be OK, and we’ll be able to reopen. “But if that six months turns into 12 months, then who knows.” Six Degrees still has guests in their accommodation who they have to cook for. Mr Davey said he hoped that if the entire community went into lockdown, they could continue a delivery service. “To be honest, I don't often say that I don’t know, but I just don’t know what is going to happen.” Award-winning fish and chip shop Hooked on Middleton Beach launched a delivery service for the first time on Friday. Hooked’s Hayley Vale said they noticed their customers had significantly dropped off since Wednesday. When they realised customers numbers were going to keep dropping, they knew they had to adapt. “There are a few tourists around but obviously not as much. “We thought we need to do something to help get business back up because it is scary to think what could happen. “People don’t want to leave their homes. We are still getting some takeaway so we thought (delivery) was another way to keep cooking and stay open,” she said. She said that the hospitality, retail and tourism industry are already feeling the effect of the community being less social. “We are the type of industry that we can’t work from home and we have to have our doors open to make money. “We all have casual workers too and if we don’t have work and have to reduce hours or close the doors for a little while, it impacts the community as a whole. “We need to support all the small businesses in Albany because we are all in the situation.” The White Star, Liberte, Hybla, Fredericks Cafe, The Venice, Whalers Gallery Cafe, Little Italy, Dylan’s On The Terrace, Three Anchors and Ocean and Paddock are some of the other restaurants offering a takeaway service. The Alkaline Cafe is doing takeaway and delivery, and also helping anyone quarantined or self-isolating by delivering them “Heat & Eat” meals and an Alkaline Care Package, which includes toilet paper. For information on venues, visit their Facebook pages.