Help us survive: Shops and cafes appeal to customers as hard lockdown bites
Melbourne’s shops, cafes and restaurants have declared they are still open for business even if many of their doors are closing under the latest pandemic restrictions. Here’s what they have to say.
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Melbourne’s shops, cafes and restaurants have declared they are still open for business even if many of their doors are closing under the latest pandemic restrictions.
Retailers big and small pleaded with customers to help them survive by shopping online and using delivery or click-and-collect as the state government cracked down on non-essential shopping.
Most businesses had finetuned their online shopping portals since the first lockdowns in late March, Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said.
He said the restrictions would have a “devastating’’ effect on business but was pleased online services were guaranteed: “We can’t afford another false start,” he said as he urged people to do their bit.
The announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews prompted criticism from two senior retail figures — Premier Investments’ Solomon Lew and Wesfarmers’ Rob Scott.
Fashion chain billionaire Mr Lew said the state government had not acted decisively in combating the virus and could have prevented unnecessary illness and death. He predicted mass retail closures from the harsh restrictions.
“We expect significant consequences from the inaction, in particular, vast amounts of cost in federal government stimulus that is going to be required to support the Victorian community through this challenging period,” he said.
“Notwithstanding Premier Andrews’ request weeks ago for people to stay home, shopping centres in Victoria have remained open.’’
Mr Lew’s Just Group closed all shops in Melbourne to protect staff and customers.
Mr Scott, managing director of Wesfarmers, which owns Bunnings, Officeworks and Kmart, questioned “significant inconsistencies and anomalies’’ in the announcement.
“For example, these restrictions could prevent households getting essential goods quickly while activities such as liquor sales and horse racing continue,’’ Mr Scott said.
He said the company’s shops would follow the government requirements.
“Our businesses are well equipped to further adapt their operations to continue to support customers through the lockdown, with a focus on supporting small business, trades and home delivery and contactless click and collect in many of our metro stores,’’ he said.
Department stores Myer and David Jones will close on Wednesday evening and revert to online services.
The measures will also hit the state’s cafes and restaurants hard. Restaurant and Catering Industry Association chief executive Wes Lambert said operators were relieved food deliveries were still possible after the 8pm curfew because they were classified as work. Restaurants in regional Victoria would also feel “a jolt’’ as they went under stage three restrictions, he said.
Spencer Rizk, owner and manager of cafe Zen Den in Eltham, said the rollercoaster of restriction updates left him fearing for the business.
“I lose sleep wondering what will happen next and what the next week will look like”, Mr Rizk said. “Every day there is something new to contend with.”
Mr Rizk, who runs the cafe with his father and cousin, has lost almost 70 per cent of regular business after closing the dining area that could feed up to 70 guests at a time.
“We are keeping positive but it is hard to know whether it will be viable to keep running the business,” Mr Rizk said.
The Premier and supermarkets also urged Victorians to resist the urge to stock up.
“People do not need to be going and buying six weeks’ worth of groceries,’’ Mr Andrews said.
“You do not need to do that because supermarkets, as well as grocery stores, the local fruit and veg, the local butcher, the baker, all of those shops, they will remain open.’’
Coles chief operating officer Matt Swindells said there would be more than enough products, as limits on some products were introduced.
“Get yourself a list and come in for what you need, and only what you need, and we’ll get through this fine,” Mr Swindells said.
Coles confirmed infections in staff at Newmarket, Bundoora, Cranbourne East and Karingal Hub in the past 24 hours. Anyone who shopped there between July 28-30 and felt unwell in the next two weeks should be tested.
Woolworths’ liquor distribution centre in Laverton North was cleared to reopen on Monday afternoon after WorkSafe Victoria overturned a union “cease-work’’ notice following new of a worker testing positive.
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