Struggling southeast businesses to slash opening hours as coronavirus fears empty centres
Even big name retailers are struggling to keep their doors open as scared shoppers stay away from fashion and food precincts in Melbourne’s southeast, with some traders starting to enforce drastic measures in a bid to stay afloat.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Shopping hubs in Melbourne’s southeast are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak, and traders are slashing hours, putting off staff and asking shoppers to dig deep to keep their businesses viable.
Leader visited traders at four retail destinations from Narre Warren to South Yarra, and found while some were inundated by stockpilers, most were feeling the pinch since strict travel and social distancing restrictions were introduced.
YOUR GUIDE TO MELBOURNE BUSINESSES ADAPTING TO STAY OPEN
On Chapel St, Australian fashion design icon Bettina Liano told Leader that a loss of tourists along the busy strip had led her to considering shutting her doors five days a week on top of slashing staff hours.
“It was already quiet, but now you can count the amount of people that go by,” she said.
“I’ve got an online store which is helpful, but (it looks like) we’re just going to open on the weekends.
“Chapel St is a great location and tourists are what make it …(and) now there’s none.”
Soda Rock Diner owner Les Masalkovski said he had reduced his staff from five members to one during the lunch rush and is looking at closing two hours earlier at night.
He also cut crowd numbers to less than 100 for his popular live music performance shows, which include retro sing along nights and Elvis tribute bands.
His meat supplier had also bumped prices up by a whopping 30 per cent.
“It was going bad but this week it’s been really crazy … I used to get lots of Chinese students and tourists who loved the American diner (environment) and now they aren’t coming in,” he said.
“There’s a fear of people catching it and the fear of the unknown.
“My message to people would be to live your normal life with precaution.”
Chapel Street Precinct Association general manager Chrissie Maus urged food delivery platforms including Ubereats and Menulog to reduce “exorbitant” delivery fees in an effort to support the strip’s hospitality businesses.
“Or better yet, Chapel St encourages residents to order take-out directly from one of its many fabulous eateries and enjoy a bigger, fresher and more delicious meal,” she said.
The precinct was also pleading for public support for local businesses and suggested shoppers buy gift cards from the strip’s salons, boutique retailers or eateries.
“This gives local vendors some income in the short term and gives you, your friends or family something to look forward to,” Ms Maus said.
No shops were closed at Fountain Gate or Southland except the Apple Store.
Fountain Gate centre management confirmed Village Cinemas had slashed showing times by up to five hours following the outbreak.
Village Cinemas was contacted for comment.
Hair To Hair hairdressers Pat Branca and Patricia Polischukan, whose shop is next to the Narre Warren centre’s food court, said they had no choice but to start cutting back hours.
“The centre’s been so quiet … we have to keep down wages,” she said.
“We took $200 in one day this week … before that we had a great two weeks.”
All Westfield traders were sent a memo from centre management which advised they would be “flexible” with opening hours however it did not mention options for shutting early or completely.
A Scentre Group spokeswoman said they would continue to engage with traders on a case-by-case basis.
“It’s important to give retailers the opportunity to trade and engage with customers throughout this period, especially given shopping centres are regarded as ‘essential activities’,” she said.
“We are engaging directly with retailers on a case-by-case basis as they manage their business through this volatile period.
“We encourage our retailers to keep talking to us directly about their specific needs.”
But it was business as usual with strong crowds at Parkmore Keysborough, with dozens of hungry shoppers stocking up on fresh fruit and produce at Marketplace Fresh.
“We’re short on everything, there’s been people lining up outside trying to get in early,” store manager May Wong said.
“The most popular items have been potatoes, cabbages and pumpkins.
“We’ve been busy before but this is a different type of busy.”
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
MORE NEWS
HOW SEX WORKERS ARE MANAGING SOCIAL DISTANCING