Pubs and clubs are calling for the government to provide a pathway out of lock down to prevent many closing permanently.
Australian Venue Company chief executive Paul Waterson said action is needed for the industry’s survival.
“If they are talking about a September reopening for our industry, you tell me whether BHP, Telstra or the Commonwealth Bank could survive zero revenue for six months with essentially 12 hours’ notice. I mean, in any industry, it’s catastrophic,” Waterson told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Among those that have already fallen victim to COVID-19 are Perth’s The Flying Scotsman.
“During these tough times, it seems the landlord does not want us to renew the lease,” a Facebook post by the publican read.
“We will hold onto our memories of the Scotto forever and what an amazing ride it has been over the last 20 years.From all the team, we want to say thank you for making the Scotto a place where everyone felt welcome and had a good time.”
Last week, The King’s Head Hotel, which has been around since the 1870s, became the first Adelaide pub to close permanently.
“It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of tears,” publican Gareth Lewis (above) told 9News. “I’m sure there’s going to be more in the industry.”
NSW clubs beg to reopen
There are fears more than 40% of NSW clubs and RSLs will never reopen following the coronavirus shutdown.
Woy Woy Leagues Club (above), owned by the Easts Group, has already been forced to close its doors permanently, leading to an uncertain future for the Woy Woy Roosters rugby league team.
Clubs NSW has put an urgent plan to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian asking for permission to reopen.
NSW clubs and RSLs are arguing they could safely reopen if they have an entry limit on patrons, restrict the number of people allowed to sit at dining tables, remove couches and bar stools and conduct temperature checks on entry.
A Clubs NSW briefing paper, obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, revealed that about 80% of staff – or 35,808 people – have been stood down since the shutdown was announced on March 22.
It’s feared more than 100,000 jobs are at risk overall if the situation continues.
A spokesman for Clubs NSW said that on average clubs have experienced an 87% monthly revenue decline, “resulting in a collective $212 million monthly net loss”.
“The longer the shutdown continues, the more clubs that will close their doors permanently which would have a devastating impact on jobs, social interaction and the sense of togetherness which clubs bring,” the spokesman said.
“Thousands of charities and community groups will lose up to $93 million worth of ClubGRANTS funding this year alone and the state government will receive an estimated $200 million less per quarter in tax due to the current club shutdown.”
Opposition Treasurer Walt Secord said: “The local club is a central part of the Australian identity and unique to our nation. Clubs are a deep part of our nation’s social fabric. We do not want to see clubs and their workers wiped out.
“After the COVID-19 and when it is safe to do so, thousands of Australians will return to their local club for entertainment, a refreshing schooner and a chicken schnitzel.”
Secord said Labor recognised that the local club was often the largest single employer in a regional community.
He added that any relaxation of rules “must be based on sound medical advice”.
“We do not want a second wave of infections,” he noted.
