Party Time cuts jobs as coronavirus severs business

A small local party-hire business is feeling the wrath of the coronavirus pandemic and has had to lay off more than half of its staff. It is pleading for people to support local to secure remaining jobs.

Kerrod Casanovas. Rhiannon Dance and Casey Mayoh at Party Time in Garbutt. Picture: Evan Morgan

SMALL business assistance to survive the coronavirus pandemic is not coming soon enough, Townsville business owners have said.

The Federal Government’s new stimulus package will deliver $66.4 billion in much-needed support to small and medium sized businesses.

Small local party-hire business, Party Time, is feeling the effect of the coronavirus pandemic and has had to lay off more than half of its staff.

Party Time manager Kerrod Casanovas appreciated any relief the Government could give small businesses but without immediate relief cost cuts would need to be made.

He said it was now more important than ever to support local businesses to prevent further loss of staff or permanent closures.

“As of (Saturday) we had to stand down two full-time staff and five casuals,” he said. “We’re now five full-time staff members, we are running on a skeleton crew.

“Our foot traffic is probably 75-80 per cent down.”

He said if Queensland followed the path of New South Wales and Victoria with all non-essential businesses shut down, there would be issues with staff entitlements.

“With no financial support immediately, (businesses) won’t be able to afford to pay when there is no income (during closures),” he said. Mr Casanovas said there had been 25 cancellations or postponements of parties in the past week as the Government announced new measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

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He said the Garbutt-based business had survived the global financial crisis of 2007 but felt this year’s virus pandemic was a real threat to the city’s hospitality and event industries.

“We feel sorry for the nightclubs, there’s a lot of people in this boat. We’re just trying to get the awareness and spread the message to buy local,” Mr Casanovas said.

“It’s going to be a big hit to the economy.”

Jam Corner and Bridgewater owner Matt Merrin said being able to pay people today and tomorrow was the most important thing for small business owners.

“Hopefully there is more that comes out over the next few days,” he said.

Mr Merrin said the encouraging element was the wonderful customers who were still supporting businesses.

“It’s really amazing to see and hopefully we can stay open as long as we can,” he said.

With major events around the corner such as Mother’s Day and State of Origin, Mr Casanovas urged people to continue planning parties within the restrictions – albeit smaller ones that abide by the government restrictions.

“People can still have a social life. You can still have your house parties,” he said.

Originally published as Party Time cuts jobs as coronavirus severs business