Prince Alfred Hotel Booval brings back 51 staff and looks to hire another five after Covid lockdown ends

A popular hotel and restaurant that stood down 51 workers last week is now back in action and seeking more staff.

General Manager of PA Hotel, Peter Coultas, says the pub has reinstated 51 staff who were stood down during the latest lockdown.

Widespread news of the Prince Alfred Hotel’s struggles during the most recent Queensland lockdown had some loyal customers wondering if the old Ipswich favourite would survive.

Manager Peter Coultas said the pub’s Facebook page was “going off” last week with people concerned the venue was shutting down, after the Queensland Times reported 51 staff had been stood down during the latest lockdown.

With that lockdown ending last Sunday, Mr Coultas said the easing of restrictions had allowed a return to something resembling normal for patrons, despite the need to maintain a one person per four square metre distance inside.

“The restrictions still allow our patrons to stand and drink and conduct a similar level of trading to what we enjoyed prior to the lockdown,” Mr Coultas said.

“All functions are back on. We are lucky with the amount of space we have in here that we can still fit several hundred people.”

In good news for local jobs, the PA has reinstated all 51 positions that were stood down last week, while also advertising for another five roles at the moment.