Bayside trading could take a year to return to normal

A legendary bayside chicken shop has closed its doors as business leaders say the area will face an uphill battle to return to normal after COVID-19.

A BRISBANE pocket on a meteoric rise before the global coronavirus pandemic could take a year to return to normal.

The uncertainty facing businesses during COVID-19 have posed a threat to retailers across Brisbane, including Wynnum and Manly, with two businesses closing in the past week.

P & C Chicken Bar, which has operated on Bay Tce in Wynnum for more than 15 years, announced their closure last week with Jolinda Bakehouse Cafe on Edith St also shutting its doors.

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“Thanks for all my die hard workers and family who have got me this far it has been my pleasure to work at P & C for the past year, it’s had its ups and downs but mostly ups,” P & C Chicken Bar wrote on its Facebook page on Sunday.

P & C Chicken Bar has closed down in Bay Tce, Wynnum. Picture: Renae Droop

“I’m sorry that we have had to close but this experience has made me want to do another shop hopefully bigger and better.”

Wynnum Business general manager David Bateson said it was disappointing to see the permanent closure of businesses in the area that was undergoing a rejuvenation following the start of many multimillion-dollar developments.

“The interesting thing about Wynnum is that it is changing, however it seems what happens in that we’re getting new places opening but then another place closes,” he said.

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Mr Bateson said Wynnum Business have launched a section on their website for local businesses to sell their products online during this tough time.

Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce president David Farley expected all tenants in the precinct, which is at full capacity, to reopen when the COVID-19 restrictions further eased but warned residents not to expect trading to return to normal straight away.

David Farley, from Manly Harbour Village Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Peter Cronin

Mr Farley said the Chamber of Commerce was finalising rent relief deals with some traders in the Harbour Village as some struggle more than others during the pandemic.

“Everyone’s just getting anxious at the moment about getting support but also about when they can reopen and how that will look,” he said.

“Obviously the supermarket is trading really well, they’re very happy as well as essential traders like the butcher, pharmacy and post office.

Manly Harbour Village shopping centre on Cambridge Pde. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“But there’s others coming to grips with the restrictions, which is the cafes and restaurants, because it’s just not a profitable business at the moment.

“Even though I would expect that cafes, restaurants and bars will be allowed to open soon, it will be under some restrictions.

“It’s going to be tough when businesses are open again because people want to get out, that’s clear, but I think there’ll be a lot of people who’ll still be cautious about going out.

“I don’t think trading will go back to normal right away, I think that will only happen when international flights are allowed to come in, which could be 12 months.”

It is understood that National Cabinet, which will meet today and on Friday, could tell bosses of cafes and restaurants to prepare to reopen on June 1 – possibly earlier, depending on the uptake of the coronavirus tracing app.

Manly’s SeaVibes restaurant is one of the businesses upgrading during COVID-19. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

Mr Farley said while some businesses were struggling, they were using this time to upgrade their venues with SeaVibes, Manly Deck Bar and Restaurant as well as Tide Wine Bar among those completing renovations.

He also said Madhatters Book Shop experienced a better month in April than this time last year with children’s books and puzzles among the hot items on the shelf.

Owner of Wynnum book store Little Gnome, Bel Ellis, said her shop has also been extremely busy.

“We have also had to reshape how the business is run, spend more on hours for our existing staff, to cope. So it’s been good, but hectic,” she said.