Macarthur business owners share experiences after Covid lockdown

Depleted staff numbers continue to plague Macarthur, with one business down 17 people because of Covid. But others are benefiting from a much-needed cash injection.

One Macarthur business has copped a 60 per cent drop in sales as NSW continues to grapple with the effects of Covid.

Shop owners were hopeful the Christmas and school holidays would bring a much-needed cash injection after the trials of 2021.

However, while some businesses are bustling, others have not seen the boom they were hoping for to kick off the new year.

In June, Suneet Gard opened the Sage Village in Macarthur Square after deciding to close his Baulkham Hills business.

Just three weeks later, Sydney went into lockdown and his cafe shut for three months.

Mr Gard said October was extremely slow, but they had high hopes for the Christmas and holiday period.

“The mall was getting a little bit busier but I think a lot of people still had the fear of the Omicron and Covid, so we didn’t get the traffic flow we were expecting,” Mr Gard said.

“Even though the restrictions have been eased off, I think people were still concerned about coming out for a meal and for a coffee.

“Then January has hit us really badly. Sales have been down more than 60 per cent.”

Mr Gard said he understood customers’ concerns, and even when he had a cough, that was not Covid, he shut up shop for the safety of staff and the public.

Linda Fullers says her business at Kaydah Beauty and Nails is booming since the lockdown was lifted.

Like many other businesses, the Sage Village has been left short-staffed after employees were identified as close contacts.

“I have been lucky enough that it didn’t happen all at once,” Mr Gard said.

“But for a bit my chef was off, so I was running the coffee machine and the kitchen, that was crazy.”

Mr Gard hopes to see business pick up soon, and thanked the customers who had still been showing their support.

Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce Carlene Cardona said there were many stories similar to Mr Gard’s of traders struggling.

“However it seems to be a mixed bag across the various industries in Campbelltown,” she said.

“Some are finding it hard to get back up after the lockdown while some are doing rather well.”

Ms Cardona said one of the most common issues businesses faced in the region was staffing shortages.

“I know of one business who has 17 staff members off as some are directly impacted by Covid and some are close contacts,” she said.

“It’s making the day-to-day operations for some extremely difficult.”

Linda Fuller has been running Kaydah Beauty and Nails in the region for more than 10 years, and since lockdown lifted she has “never been busier”.

“The lockdown gave me a chance to focus on my social media side of the business and also move locations from my home set up to a commercial set up in Narellan,” she said.

“Since our industry has been allowed to return, I have been busier than ever.”

Ms Fuller said while some people had been nervous about Covid, having a more private business setting has allayed their concerns.

“I have been really lucky in that regard,” she said.

“I think people still have some nerves, especially when the Omicron numbers were going up, but I think people are also keen to get back to normality.”

Ms Cardona said the chamber still encouraged residents to shop locally.

“Make sure you are spending in your own backyard to keep the economy going,” she said.

“Please support local business. We want to keep them going and keep people in jobs.”