Brisbane business keeping the hospitality sector running

With the flu season wiping out swaths of workers, one Brisbane business has been riding in to save the day.

Queensland businesses forced to close their doors as scores of their staff were knocked out with Covid-19 and the flu inspired two young men to create a company designed to save the day.

Having witnessed the pressure on the hospitality sector first-hand, Recent business graduate Lucas Eckersley, 23 and engineering student Mitchell Heard, 23, came up with a company of skilled temporary workers ready to be deployed when sickness strikes.

They launched Stitch Hire in January to help keep hospitality businesses open.

“I know a lot of venues that have been having to cut down hours or even close down due to Covid and the flu season with everyone getting sick,” Mr Eckersley said.

“We saw this gap in the market”.

In the last two weeks of June, Stitch Hire provided staff for the O’Brien Group at the Gabba Stadium and Melrose in Bulimba.

Melrose Owner Gina Venzin said the hospitality sector has definitely been hit the hardest throughout the pandemic and this flu season.

“Once one staff member catches something, it goes through everyone,” Ms Venzin said.

“Once you lose one full timer or two casuals that’s suddenly like 60 to 80 hours to fill, which is a big shift.

Ivy Thomas and Tom Higgins (rear) are both temp wait staff. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“It’s not just like an office job where workers can work from home, we lose that worker for seven days if they’ve had Covid.”

Ms Venzin said she was fortunate to be able to use workers from Darvella patisserie, Pawpaw cafe and Monocle coffee, which she also owns.

She said she doesn’t stress when staff are sick anymore because she relies on Stitch Hire.

“[Stitch Hire] have different levels when you are looking for someone to fill the position,” she said.

“I specified I needed an experienced kind of person who has good wine or cocktail knowledge, not just a basic person who just pours Vodka Redbulls at a festivals”.

Ms Venzin said the Stitch Hire workers did a great job filling in and strongly recommended the company for any hospitality businesses struggling with sick staff members.

Stitch Hire has more than 80 skilled workers on their books, varying from chefs, bartenders to baristas.

“We’re definitely still recruiting with Covid still being present and the flu season, and especially with some people’s staff being completely wiped out”.

With the rise in cost of living Mr Eckersley said people who have never worked in hospitality are also wanting to work for Stitch Hire as a secondary source of income.

“Unlike other casual roles, we’re super flexible with our shifts,” he said.

“Through our system, there’s no ongoing commitment and staff are able to accept the shifts that best suit their schedule.”

For more information head to Stitch Hire.

Lucas Eckersley and Mitchell Heard of Stitch Hire. Picture: Liam Kidston