Alba by Kuruvita offering new staff accommodation at The Whitely Noosa
Fancy living and working in paradise? A prominent restaurateur is going the extra mile to find staff, offering up homes to new staff. Find out how to land a gig.
Business
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An up-market Noosa restaurant will be offering new employees accommodation as an antidote to a “frustrating” staff and housing shortage in the area.
Alba by Kuruvita has been a popular 41-person bar and restaurant tucked away in Noosa Heads since opening late last year, but has struggled to land new employees because of the housing crisis.
Staffing issues have also been crippling several iconic venues along Hastings St this year.
Owner and restaurateur Peter Kuruvita said he was now taking matters into his own hands by offering recruits accommodation to help secure them, extend his opening hours, and, in turn, boost revenue.
“At the moment you’re squeezing to get a profit out of your bottom line,” Mr Kuruvita said.
Mr Kuruvita said he would be offering accommodation in employment packages for new staff at Altum Property Group’s new 54-unit The Whitely Noosa in the heart of Noosaville.
“It is something that is necessary these days,” he said.
Mr Kuruvita said he could house 10 new staff in the apartments made up of a double room, two studios, and a couple of rooms with bunk beds, which could be available by the first quarter of next year.
He said he needed 10 more staff to be able to open his doors for lunch and dinner on Sunday and Monday, increasing revenue by 20 per cent.
Mr Kuruvita said he didn’t own the apartments, but had simply struck a deal with the developer who had purpose-built the rooms for his new staff.
He said he had plenty people who wanted work but couldn’t find an affordable room, saying prices ranged from $250 to $400.
“‘It’s frustrating,” he said.
Altum Property Group director Alex Rigby said his team wanted to help address the housing scarcity particularly for hospitality workers in Noosa.
“As far as we know this is a first for Noosa,” he said.
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