Redlands business share big virus, election issues

Hair dressers, nail salons and personal trainers could be the next in the firing line as the toll of coronavirus continues to hit the Redlands economy.

Small business owner Jayke Cuschieri. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

HAIR DRESSERS, nail salons and personal trainers could be the next in the firing line as the toll of coronavirus continues to hit the Redlands economy.

Full Digital Access: 50% off for the first 12 weeks (conditions apply)

Local business owner and Victoria Point Markets organiser Nicole Kennon said she feared that as workers’ hours were reduced, services considered more luxury could be the first expense culled from the budget.

“I think it’s going to come to a point... they’re going to cut services like mine because they can’t afford it,” she said.

Ms Kennon, who runs a personal training studio at Victoria Point, said despite the uncertainty in her industry she was still trying to support other local businesses.

“I’m still trying to support local businesses — I’m still going to coffee shops.

“We had arranged to go out to a restaurant (with friends) but we’ve cancelled that and instead we’re getting take away from a local restaurant.

“Some sort of normality’s got to continue.

“More so than the virus itself, I’m concerned about the reaction.”

BUSINESS OWNERS FEAR CLOSURE AT HANDS OF COVID-19

HOW CORONAVIRUS IS AFFECTING BAY ISLANDS

EASTER EVENTS CANCELLED, NURSING HOMES BRIEFED

Even Redlands’ Business of the Year award winner Greenplate has noticed changes in recent weeks.

Production manager Alex Kimmins said the family run business relied on its China based production factory for parts for their energy efficient or solar powered barbecues, designed for public use and purchased by councils, tourist parks and hotels.

He said their frequent visits to the country for quality assurance has ceased as restrictions are placed on international travel.

He said freight backlogs caused by delays in Chinese exports also meant they had been waiting for some stock.

However Mr Kimmins said his family’s business was fortunately faring quite well — and much better than some Brisbane importers which in recent weeks have been forced to close permanently.

“We’re only starting to hear of (the effects of coronavirus) now, but for those businesses it’s been (happening) for a couple of months.”

He said one big driver for some local businesses could be investment from the council.

“Local businesses can also offer council the best service,” he said.

Marcus and Alex Kimmins from award-winning local business Greenplate at one of their barbecues, installed in the Redlands. The business has installed their public-use barbecues at council-run parks including at Raby Bay, Wellington Point and Birkdale.

Co-owner of Capalaba coffee shop Scissors Paper Rock Jayke Cuschieri agreed any support from local government would go a long way.

“As a small business owner I would love to see some more support,” he said.

“Every little bit definitely goes a long way.”

He said pointed to growth in the region — through both business and housing — as a way of enticing more families to the Redlands was another way businesses like his could ensure a constant clientele.

“It would definitely benefit us,” he said.

“At the end of the day it’s sort of a domino effect.”

Small business owner Jayke Cuschieri at his cafe Scissors Paper Rock in Capalaba. Picture AAP/Sarah Marshall

In a statement today Mayor Karen Williams said revitalisation of the region’s economy was at the top of her agenda.

“Small business is the backbone of the Redlands community, employing more than 20,000 people across our city,” she said.

“As a former small business operator I know how uncertainty and anxiety can affect business confidence.”

She said she had been working with the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce on a package to support local businesses — which currently face uncertainty via both an election and the spread of coronavirus.

She said the measure — part of her election platform — would need to include business rates relief, a review of the council’s procurement policy and improving buy local initiatives and other support measures.

FOLLOW REDLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS ON FACEBOOK