More than 200 jobs could go at Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels as coronavirus hits concerts

More than 200 jobs could go at just two major south east Queensland hotels as the coronavirus pandemic forces the cancellation or postponement of events and limits patron numbers.

Simple Plan at the Eatons Hill Hotel.

More than 200 jobs are at risk as the coronavirus pandemic forces the cancellation or postponement of events and limits patron numbers at two major south east Queensland hotels.

Robert Comiskey, a director of the Comiskey Group which owns the Eatons Hill Hotel and the Sandstone Point Hotel, said they had already witnessed “devastation” and called on the government to provide a rescue package to offset the damage to the industry.

“It is unclear as to what extent the impact will be on our business given that the situation is changing so rapidly but I do unfortunately anticipate job losses that could be upwards of 200 across the group,” Mr Comiskey said.

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“The hotel’s major events will be the most affected with the current restrictions on mass gatherings; undoubtedly we will lose a significant amount of money.

On Wednesday the Federal Government banned outdoor gathering of more than 500 people and indoor gathers of more than 100.

“This is not something I have seen in my career. It is all new to us and we are trying to work out how best to navigate the situation to minimise the devastating effects on both the business and our staff,” Mr Comiskey said.

Among the events affected are the Eatons Hill Hotel rodeo (which draws a thousands of spectators) which has been moved from April 4 to October 31, and the three Wiggles concerts that were to be on April 18 have been cancelled.

The Touch Bass Festival which will now take place on October 17 instead of April 21.

The Sandstone Point Hotel’s Sandstone Rocks has been rescheduled to November 21 and Polo by the Bay has been cancelled for 2020.

More events could be affected. Hotel management is working through each event, focusing on those in the near future first.

Ticket holders who cannot attend on the new dates can get a full refund from the ticket seller.

Mr Comiskey said the Federal Government regulation limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people would also have a “significant” impact.

”We are making every effort to trade as normal, implementing additional sanitary measures whilst complying with the advice of health officials but these limits will most definitely hurt us,” he said.

Patrons have been asked to practice good hygiene and not to visit if they were feeling unwell.

Mr Comiskey urged people to keep supporting venues, not just for the benefit of business owners and staff, but also so patrons still had a place to go when the emergency was over.

“I think it is so important to have places for people to enjoy entertainment, socialise and relax,” he said.

Eatons Hill Hotel concerts and events that have been effected by COVID-19

March 20: RNB Fridays – replaced with resident DJs

March 20: Arj Barker – cancelled

April 2: Dobre Brothers – cancelled

April 4: 9th Annual Rodeo – rescheduled to Saturday, October 31

April 4: Mums Who Wine – postponed with date pending

April 21: Touch Bass – rescheduled to Saturday, October 17

April 18: The Wiggles – all three shows have been cancelled

May 22: Kerser – cancelled