Crowds fill Oxford Street despite mixed reaction to easing of restrictions

The crowds are coming back to Oxford Street at Bulimba but it will be a long recovery for businesses despite strong local support.

Shoppers return to Oxford Street Bulimba during easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Renae Droop

THE crowds were about yesterday at the popular Oxford Street precinct at Bulimba but there wasn’t too much change for the retailers as few restaurants and bars reopened under the easing of restrictions introduced yesterday.

From yesterday 10 people are permitted at any one time for dining in at restaurants, cafés, pubs, clubs and hotels.

Revel Brewing was one of the few that opened for dine-in meals for up to 10 people yesterday.

La Quinta Mexucan Café management said it did not open for dine in this weekend even though the restrictions had been eased.

They said for their business it was not economically viable to open for just 10 people at a time.

Oxford Street Business Association president Gayatri Aegerter said there was a mixed response to the easing of restrictions but there was a noticeable difference in shopper numbers a fortnight ago when restrictions were lifted to allow households or one friend to travel 50km for recreational purposes.

However she said the extra foot traffic was not translating to sales for many shops other than the takeaway food outlets.

“Retailers are saying there are people in the street out walking and window shopping but they are not buying,” she said.

“I think a lot of people are financially distressed. I think it will be a long time until things are back to normal even with the restrictions easing up.

“For a while shop owners were not seeing customers. Our sales have been bouncing back since that first easing of restrictions, but a lot of businesses in the street may struggle for a long time.”

Ms Aegerter, who owns Nom Nom Natural Gelato, said the encouraging trend was the amount of support from locals.

“People have come to me and said they are making a point of buying regular gelatos just to support our business because they want to make sure we survive this,” she said.

“It has been amazing, sometimes it has left me in tears of happiness. It is so heartwarming.

“I thought our sales would have gone down a lot more when the cinema and restaurants closed because I thought that was our main income but we do have a significant customer base of locals.”

The bakeries and other takeaway shops on Oxford Street have been least effected by COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Renae Droop

Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) has launched a free business directory website for the ward which include Oxford Street.

On the Shop Local site, businesses share up-to-date information on their opening hours, pick up and delivery options, and special deals.

“These businesses are always there for us when we’re running fundraisers or looking for sponsors. Now’s the time we can give them a hand,” Cr Cook said.

“The website makes it easy to shop local and shows what options are available at any hour of the day.

“We all want to see our local traders get through these tough times. Small businesses are big employers and they’re the bedrock of our local economy.”

Rachel Hobbs and her flatmate Miku Kawahata were out on the Bulimba riverfront last weekend. Picture: Renae Droop

WHO IS OPEN?

Cineplex – Closed temporarily on March 23 but re-opened the café yesterday.

Oxford 152 – Closed temporarily on March 23.

Revel – Has remained open for take away and delivery and from yesterday opened for dine-in meals for up to 10 people from 4pm to 8pm.

La Quinta Mexican Café – open for takeaway and delivery.

SUKI Poke Bowls – Bulimba remains closed, while Newstead and Southbank outlets have re-opened for up to 10 customers.

King Crab Co – Closed temporarily in March.