Melbourne hospitality owners are voicing concerns over the practicality of Victoria’s roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown. The plan to facilitate outdoor dining as a means for businesses to reopen has received criticism from some publicans who have opted to close permanently instead. Tracy Dean, owner of the Morning Star Hotel in Williamstown, expressed her frustration, citing financial strains and lack of support as key reasons for her decision to shut down.
President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Hotels Association, David Canny, highlighted the distress among pub owners following the announcement of Melbourne’s roadmap. He anticipated more closures before the year ends, emphasizing the emotional toll on business owners striving to support their staff amidst the challenges.
Under the roadmap, Melbourne businesses could potentially resume outdoor dining by late October. Local councils have pledged to offer permits for using footpaths, carparks, and laneways to accommodate diners. However, the feasibility of creating outdoor dining spaces due to financial constraints and logistical hurdles has been questioned by industry stakeholders.
The City of Melbourne unveiled plans to adopt an open restaurants policy akin to New York City, allowing venues to utilize adjacent areas for serving customers while maintaining social distancing. Despite these efforts, some restaurant owners like Caterina Borsato of Caterina’s Cucina E Bar remain skeptical, citing the impracticality and high costs associated with outdoor dining for basement establishments.
Manager of the Grosvenor Hotel in St. Kilda East, Frank Chilelli, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the outdoor dining concept, while appealing in theory, poses challenges for traditional pubs not designed for al fresco service. He emphasized the limitations posed by Melbourne’s unpredictable weather and the financial strain of investing in temporary outdoor setups.
The Restaurant and Catering Association head, Wes Lambert, criticized the outdoor dining approach as costly and ineffective for many businesses, particularly larger venues without existing outdoor seating. Lambert advocated for exemptions to accommodate businesses with no outdoor dining access and proposed a more nuanced strategy for reopening indoor dining.
Amidst the skepticism, some business owners like Michael Vass of Curry Cafe in Northcote view the outdoor dining initiative positively, seeing it as an opportunity to expand capacity and boost community morale. Vass acknowledged the financial risks associated with reopening but expressed optimism about the prospect of increased revenue and a sense of hope for the industry.
As Melbourne grapples with the complexities of transitioning out of lockdown, the hospitality sector faces a delicate balance between economic viability and public health considerations. The debate over the practicality of outdoor dining packages underscores the challenges confronting businesses in adapting to the new normal amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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