Coulson Party Hire hit hard by coronavirus but 60-year-old business isn’t giving up
Demand for party marquees and event management dried up almost overnight thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak. But a long-running Frankston business is hoping a new type of client will save the day.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Once the life of the party for celebrations and events, a Frankston business is now floundering in the wake of the coronavirus.
But owner Stephen Batty hopes his marquees can be used for more sombre purposes as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The business, which includes Coulson Party Hire and The Production Place, has lost 95 bookings in the past month, including major clients such as RMIT, Melbourne Zoo, and Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councils.
Mr Batty said the situation for the family-owned outfit was dire, but he wasn’t giving up.
“Our two biggest jobs for 2020 – RMIT exams and graduations are up in the air and we have lost a further 95 bookings,” Mr Batty said.
“I’ve had to send my staff to Centrelink. They’re mostly casuals but I’m hoping I can pay them through JobKeeper payments.”
Mr Batty has secured new marquee hire bookings for businesses needing extra space to meet social-distancing requirements, including a medical centre and The Big Fish fish market in Frankston.
“Hopefully we’ll get a few more of those,” he said.
“We’ve also been in touch with the hospitals too but so far haven’t heard anything back.
“You don’t want there to be so many cases that they need marquees to deal with them, but if they do we’re here.”
MORE NEWS.
WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO IN LOCKDOWN IN VICTORIA
COUPLE’S PANDEMIC WEDDING ‘EXTRA SPECIAL’
TRAVELLERS LASH OUT AFTER BEING STUNG HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS
Mr Batty has also called on couples planning a wedding post-COVID-19 to consider booking a marquee now.
“We’ll 100 per cent guarantee the deposit,” he said.
Details: coulsonpartyhire.com.au and productionplace.com.au