Brisbane’s The Greek Club calls for government help amid lockdown

One of Brisbane’s longest running wedding venues, The Greek Club, claims the latest lockdown has hit the events industry hard financially and is asking for government support to prevent businesses going bust

It’s been around for more than 40 years, but now one of Brisbane’s most iconic event venues and restaurants, The Greek Club in South Brisbane, is calling for government help amid the latest COVID lockdown.

General manager Louise Sugars of the popular wedding venue, which regularly holds functions for more than 300 guests, and Nostimo Restaurant said the current three-day Greater Brisbane lockdown has had a huge impact on the team and the wider events industry both financially and mentally.

The Greek Club in South Brisbane has become one of Brisbane's most popular venues for weddings and functions.

“While we wholeheartedly understand the need for these lockdowns to stop the spread – it’s been extremely tough financially and mentally on our staff, clients, and suppliers,” Ms Sugars said.

“We’ve postponed two formals, had a two-day conference cancel – and we’re unsure what will happen with our bookings next week, which include a wedding, a wake, and a memorial that wasn’t able to happen at this time last year due to our first lockdown. This is all a major financial impact on the business and stressful for our clients dealing with the unknown.”

While Ms Sugars insisted The Greek Club was in no danger of closing and would make it through financially thanks to loyal community support, she said the flow-on effect was also “huge”, with the business forced to cancel orders of perishables with their suppliers, and having to stand down staff temporarily.

“It’s extremely difficult when your business isn’t set up to quickly adapt to takeaway with no notice, for only a few days,” she said.

Nostimo restaurant at The Greek Club, South Brisbane. Picture: Steve Pohlner

She warned many businesses in the industry would close permanently, particularly following the end of JobKeeper last weekend.

“We know these lockdowns are crucial, and we understand the financial impact of JobKeeper on our economy – but there needs to be a plan and some longer-term support for these next 12 months given this is our second snap lockdown in 2021,” Ms Sugars said.

“Whether that’s a continuation of tax concessions and reductions in WorkCover and licencing costs – there needs to be ways to help ease the burden for those who just can’t quickly adapt to working from home or the takeaway or delivery model.”

She said the problems were compounded by an inability to find staff due to a lack of foreign workers who had returned home during the pandemic.

“We need to keep the incredible team we have, but it’s extremely difficult when financially we’re hit hard with these lockdowns and the end of JobKeeper – and people aren’t as confident with booking events like they once were,” she said.