Melbourne restrictions: Pub owners fight to save Victoria pubs

A band of Melbourne pub owners are “begging and pleading” for pubs to allowed to open before the slated timeframe of November.

Pub owners in Melbourne have banded together to rally against the Victorian Government’s Roadmap for Reopening, crying out for the city’s iconic pub scene to be saved as restrictions are set to remain tight until the end of November.

The current lockdown restrictions threatening the survival of pubs across the once-thriving city will remain in place for another two weeks until September 28 if the average daily case rate drops to 30-50 cases in metro Melbourne.

After this, the curfew will still remain in place and gathering restrictions will be capped at only five people, keeping pubs out of business.

The hospitality industry will still have to keep doors shut by October 26 when restrictions ease slightly – even if cases drop to less than five new cases per day statewide – as public gatherings will be capped at only 10 people.

Pubs won’t be able to fully open until late November at this stage, but the maximum number of patrons will be capped at 50 people, proving a challenge for larger venues – and that’s only if Victoria reaches a targeted drop of no new coronavirus cases for 14 days.

But pub owners believe pubs could safely open before then if the government consulted with the industry on a COVID safe plan.

The current restrictions are causing grave concern among hospitality owners across the city, spurring calls for the government to ease restrictions by at least the third stage at the end of October.

Operators are also calling for greater financial support and open consultation from the Government to keep Melbourne’s dying pub industry afloat during these closures.

Four publicans Andy Mullins, Ryan Wheatland, Mark O’Reilly and Paul Waterson – who own or manage 46 pubs across Melbourne – have called for the city’s hotel industry to be saved.

“Melbourne is a city made of laneways, of music, arts, cafes, wine bars and pubs. The heartbeat and lungs of this place is fuelled by its culture, and that culture needs support. Its own lifeline. Right now,” said Mr Mullins, who owns nine venues in Melbourne including Hotel Esplanade and Garden State Hotel.

“It’s not about profits. It’s a tight enough game as it is. So many owners just merely survive. Right now, in Victoria, we are down 100 per cent in trade. We have staff leaving the industry in droves.

“It’s been six months, and in the current timelines, it could be nine months to a year. Who else could withstand that? But we stay in the game because we truly, truly love it. We love this city. But it’s on its knees. We are begging and pleading for help. We can’t be shut down for any longer. The city will be changed, forever.”

He added that most hospitality staff are part-time workers who’ve “been smashed in this pandemic – absolutely smashed”.

“The on-flow is enormous. We are gutted, daily, by the toll this pandemic is taking. But safe practice in reopening now has to be weighed against the risks of COVID more widely. It’s time. It’s actually well beyond time.”

While the operators are not demanding venues open immediately, they’re crying out to the government to ensure that some of the city’s most iconic watering holes will be able to see it through to the other side of the planned Roadmap to Reopening.

They’re asking for increased financial support from the Victorian Government while they’re burdened with large overheads. The current support package only covers approximately 2 per cent of the costs – and some venues are losing around $2000 a day.

They’re also calling for open consultation with operators at the coal face and a review of capacity restrictions set out in the Roadmap to Recovery.

The pub casualties have already started to be seen due to the enduring restrictions and, based on the current Roadmap to Reopening.

News of the permanent closure of Mona Vale Castle and Morning Star Hotel this week shines a light on the devastating financial toll of the enduring restrictions.

Many of the city’s great pubs are longstanding members of the Melbourne community; renowned as a spot for locals to gather and connect over a pint and parma, a game of footy or Sunday roast. Steeped in history and standing proudly on main roads, backstreets and busy corners across the city, can we imagine a Melbourne without pubs?