Broadbeach: cafes, restaurants close doors and look to takeaway trade to survive

Broadbeach Mall was a strange scene as sombre punters sipped on espresso martinis and tearful wait staff packed away tables and chairs.

BROADBEACH Mall was a strange scene this morning as sombre punters sipped on espresso martinis and tearful wait staff packed away tables and chairs.

Yesterday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, including stage one of a nationwide shutdown to feature licensed venues, gyms, cinemas and casinos. Cafes and restaurants are still able to offer takeaway food and drink.

Some of the Broadbeach businesses did not open at all such as Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium Broadbeach, which is normally packed with lunch time diners.

“Yesterday was very quiet. I think there was anticipation from people knowing this was coming but not this sudden,” manager Andy Yang said.

Businesses shut down in Broadbeach due to the new Coronavirus regulations. Harajuku Gyoza manager Andy Yang closes the door. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We will work through it with the company and look at our options.”

Mr Yang said he would have marked three years at the dumpling restaurant this May.

The restaurant will close and not be doing takeaways.

Over at Broadbeach institution Madison’s Cafe in the Oasis Shopping Centre, owner Lincoln Testa is trying to stay positive.

“What we are going to do is offer everything on the menu as takeaway,” he said.

“As we see how this works we will add different things.

Businesses shut down in Broadbeach due to the new Coronavirus regulations. Madison’s staff member Stephen Condon packs up. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We lost 25 per cent last week (in trade) but it is going to be a lot more than this around after lunch time (today).”

Mr Testa said out of 20 staff, 11 would be kept on to provide the takeaway service.

He said he would be taking advantage of the Federal Government small business loan scheme.

“I think everyone will be applying for the loans. I think the only thing we are certain of is they (Queensland Government) will forgive the payroll tax,” Mr Testa said.

“What we really need is to pay wages of the staff for holidays and the rent.”

Businesses shut down in Broadbeach due to the new Coronavirus regulations. Madison’s owner Lincoln Testa remaining upbeat and selling takeaway coffee and food. Picture Glenn Hampson

Madison’s employee John Walker, who was packing away tables and chairs, said he swore at the television last night while the Prime Minister was reading out the statement announcing the shutdown of cafes and restaurants.

At Beachside Pavilion Broadbeach several customers sipped on espresso martini’s taking advantage of the time available to get in last drinks.

Just 10 out of the 80 staff at Beachside Pavilion and Mario’s, which share the same owners, will be kept on for takeaways.

Bar Espana co-manager Krystle Wells said the impact on the restaurant’s staff was devastating, particularly for the international students and backpackers.

Businesses shut down in Broadbeach due to the new Coronavirus regulations. The streets were empty after midday. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We have already lost a couple of staff.

“We have lots of students and backpackers and people studying here and we lost one guy who has had to go back to Barcelona.”

“As a business you cannot roster people on. We have been working the bare minimum between the three of us. People without an income how can they pay for rent or anything?”

She is hopeful that the shutdown will have the required effect and help to stop the spread of the virus.

“We hope in the next two to four weeks the government will get on top of the virus and we can start going back to normal.

“From now it is out of everyone’s control and hands. The most important thing at the moment is that people are healthy and safe and we stop spreading the virus.”

Bar Espana won’t be doing takeaways.

Originally published as Broadbeach: cafes, restaurants close doors and look to takeaway trade to survive