Geelong businesses happy to see office workers return to CBD

Geelong’s central business district has begun welcoming back more office workers, with local businesses delighted to see the city coming back to life.

Geelong’s central business district has begun welcoming back more office workers, with local businesses delighted to see the city coming back to life.

The state government last week announced 50 per cent of private sector and 25 per cent of public service staff could return to offices from this week.

The changes had initially been scheduled for a week earlier but were put on hold following a coronavirus outbreak in Victoria over the festive period.

Cartel Coffee Roasters owner Nathan Johnston and CBD worker Maneesha Randall are happy workers are returning to offices around Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Cartel Coffee Roasters owner Nathan Johnston said Monday was a “beautiful day”.

Mr Johnston said customers who had not been in for months returned as office workers came back from working from home.

The Little Malop Street cafe owner said there were “quite a few more people out on the streets”.

“Today was a good day, people were very happy,” Mr Johnston, who also has an outlet in Breakwater, said.

James Street Bakery owner Helen Brosnan said the business saw a small increase in takeaways on Monday.

The bakery is expecting a more significant increase in business when more public sector workers return to the office.

“We’re looking forward it,” Ms Brosnan said.

Many organisations are expected to take a cautious approach, with some major employers starting a staged return to the office next week.

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Originally published as Geelong businesses happy to see office workers return to CBD