Sunshine Coast plaza foot traffic down 80 per cent, 50 stores open during lockdown

Sunshine Coast’s largest shopping centre has turned into a ghost town while the tourism industry has taken a $45m hit. SEE THE PICTURES

Sunshine Plaza management have revealed foot traffic is down by 80 per cent from the eight-day lockdown. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Sunshine Coast’s biggest shopping centre has been turned into a ghost town with foot traffic down by 80 per cent from as a result of a retail-sucking eight-day Covid-19 lockdown.

The revelation comes after Visit Sunshine Coast predicted a $45m hit to the tourism industry as the lockdown kept visitors away.

Sunshine Plaza centre manager Michael Manwaring said on Wednesday just 50 of the 320 stores at the Maroochydore centre were open.

“As we would expect during lockdown, the centre is particularly quiet with foot traffic down between 70 and 80 per cent,” Mr Manwaring said.

“It’s great to see the Sunshine Coast community doing the right thing and staying home.

“Our retailer numbers change daily, but as of this morning around 50 stores were trading, out of more than 300.”

Most stores are closed at the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre during lockdown. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Manwaring said some retailers who were able to remain open for click n collect purposes or food-only service were surviving on take away or home delivery options.

He said the centre has taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of its staff and shoppers.

“It includes supplying hand sanitisers, monitoring of social distancing, masks indoors and QR codes at all entrances and stores,” he said.

“This will help to keep our community safe and also hopefully ensure we can return to normal as quickly as possible.”

Kmart Sunshine Plaza has remained open despite the eight-day lockdown. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A survey of Visit Sunshine Coast members showed revenue for the week had already fallen by more than 80 per cent for most operators.

It showed that number was continuing to fall each day as the lockdown went on.

The survey showed members across the Coast’s tourism spectrum from accommodation, attractions, tour operators, retail and hospitality all reported mass cancellations.

Many have been forced to shut until the lockdown is lifted.

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel said the latest lockdown had been devastating for already hard-hit operators from Caloundra to Noosa.

The normally packed Sunshine Plaza now deserted. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Earlier forecasts by accommodation operators had anticipated occupancy levels during August of between 70-80 per cent based on having access to all key markets,” he said.

“That has completely evaporated. Even if the lockdown ends as planned on this Sunday, it will be a struggle to recover, with many interstate markets and New Zealand still ruled out.

“Our members have been devastated by this latest crisis and more support is needed urgently to keep jobs and businesses going.”

SeaLife Sunshine Coast general manager Quinn Clarke said the attraction was losing 100 per cent in revenue.