Brisbane CBD still impacted by work-from-home phenomenon
It’s not only public transport revenue that’s been smashed by the pandemic-related decline in commuters, as new figures reveal.
City Beat
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GHOST TOWN
If you think the Brisbane CBD looks quiet these days, you would be right, with latest public transport figures showing patronage is still down by over half since the start of the pandemic.
While patronage has recovered somewhat as students returned to classrooms and some workers went back to their offices, you are still pretty sure of getting a seat on a bus or train coming into the city.
A TransLink spokesperson tells your diarist that in the week ending September 13, passengers on buses, trains and ferries in the Brisbane CBD were down 53.5 per cent when compared to the same week in 2019. The figures do not include South Bank or the Valley.
Public transport has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, with patronage across the SEQ network dropping by more than 80 per cent at the height of the pandemic, when compared to the same period in 2019.
According to property industry sources, big office towers in the city remain up to 70 per cent empty as the WFH (work from home) phenomenon takes off.
“Public transport is an essential service and south east Queensland services have continued to run as scheduled across all modes during COVID-19 to ensure essential workers such as health staff and customers who rely on the network can continue to travel,” the spokesperson said.
An additional 960 weekly bus and 105 weekly train services were introduced on the network from August 10 to help customers maintain social distancing.
The drastically reduced foot traffic in the city has meant tough times for many traders, particularly those close to transport hubs.
Among the heaviest hit have been the Myer Centre, which has a big bus interchange in its basement, and Anzac Square, which funnels a lot of passengers from Central Station into the City.
Both shopping centres have reported a big slump in trade, with an increasing number of outlets closing their doors altogether.
NAILING IT
IT has survived world wars, depressions, pandemics and natural disasters and now Queensland’s oldest privately-owned building company is expanding.
Woollam Constructions, which emerged 136 years ago from Thomas Woollam’s backyard joinery business in Clayfield, has added a maintenance and development business to its existing portfolio.
Woollam Services incorporates building maintenance, insurance repairs, minor capital works, safety compliance and 24/7 emergency maintenance across any trade – from leaking taps to storm damage.
Woollam Developments meanwhile offers concept creation, planning and design through to feasibility, council applications and approvals.
Woollam managing director Craig Percival (illustrated) says the expansion came at a pivotal time for the company and the building industry.
Woollam, which has been around since 1884 and built the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel, recently picked up the contract for stage one of Mackay’s new Catholic College at the former Sugar Research Institute.
“Woollam is a name that has been around for 136 years,’’ says Percival. ‘’It is a history we are proud of and a name we are proud of.”
JOLLY SOLLY
WE know he’s silly, but just how silly is Rockhampton discount king Solly Stanton to open three new stores in the midst of one of the worst retail downturns in living memory?
Your diarist found Solly in a characteristic upbeat mood as he boasted Silly Solly’s has just opened its latest store on Wednesday in Hervey Bay.
Further store openings are set for Maroochydore and Yamanto in the coming weeks providing employment for about 50 people.
“We are in the middle of a retail revolution,” Solly says. “Some of our stores have doubled sales since the start of the year. We received hundreds of applications for staff in our three new stores and hopefully they should employ up to 50 people in the run up to Christmas.”
Solly says that while interstate expansion has been put on hold for the moment, the chain has the potential to reach 100 stores within five years.
“It’s a massive challenge but we have responded to consumer demand for new ranges of products during COVID with a focus on everyday essentials,” he says.
Silly Solly’s, whose slogan is “10,000 products, nothing over $5,” has seen big growth in working class areas of Logan, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast as families look to save their pennies. Silly Solly’s, which operates under a licensee model rather than as a franchise, was founded three decades ago by Solly and relaunched a couple of years ago.
Given Solly is one of the few retailers increasing sales at the moment maybe he is not that silly after all.
