The Manly Hotel fights to recover from COVID-19 pandemic

This historic Brisbane pub has been with the one family since 1970 and the publican is under pressure to stay afloat with job losses expected in the fight to recover from COVID-19.

A HISTORIC Brisbane pub is under pressure to stay alive after the publican called the coronavirus the biggest obstacle in the venue’s 65-year history.

The Manly Hotel has been a staple of the bayside community since opening in 1955 but, with the revenue stream facing a significant drop since March, job losses are on the cards.

Officials have also said they are working frantically to ensure the watering hole keeps its rich history.

Located on Cambridge Pde near the picturesque Manly Boat Harbour, the hotel could reopen within a matter of weeks.

The Federal Government is expected to announce changes any day and announce soft openings under new restrictions possibly by June 1 or possibly even earlier.

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But Sandy McDonald, whose family has owned The Manly Hotel since 1970, said business would still be tough.

Sandy McDonald from The Manly Hotel.

“We haven’t been completely decimated yet but it’s not far off, it’s had a massive impact on our business,” he said.

“This is just unprecedented, this is our 51st year here and we’ve faced many challenges during that time but this pales in comparison to everything we’ve been through.

“It’s really difficult because it’s not just business issues it involves significant health and safety issues and obviously that’s the priority for us is looking after everyone’s health.

Peter Glenn, Doug McDonald, Janet Moore, Sandy McDonald, Susan Bradley and Jenny Bradley celebrating their 50 years in charge of The Manly Hotel.

“We’ll obviously still open as soon as we’re allowed to but it’ll be very difficult to trade under social distancing restrictions, especially in a bistro, because you can’t sustain the chefs and staff you have.

“Before the shutdown when we were only able to have 25 people at a time was very difficult so unless they change it, to maybe include family groups, they have to consider that.

“We’ll have the rethink the way we do service and we are workshopping that with our team next week.”

The Manly Hotel employed 88 people with 25 already deployed in other roles during COVID-19 as the venue’s off-site bottle shops remain open.

The Manly Hotel battling to recovery after being decimated during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many staff have also been put on JobKeeper but Mr McDonald said some job losses were expected.

“I wouldn’t think all 88 staff would return,” he said.

“We’re doing our best to make sure we preserve the lives and livelihood of our workers and capital partners.

“We’ve also been able to keep our accommodation going but with travel restrictions it’s been very slow, we’ve had some emergency service people stay here for training.

“It’s hard because even though you’re closed, you’ve still got significant costs to maintain the venue.

The Manly Hotel inn 1958.

“I imagine people will still be very conservative when things open up again as well, there’ll be some who’ll come charging in the door but a large amount of our customer base will still be very cautious, which is fair enough.

“We’re keen to get back into action and we’re doing out best to make it happen but we want to make sure it’s a COVID safe environment.”

Mr McDonald also said the venue’s longstanding history in the community did add more pressure in trying to keep the business alive.