Noosa retailers suffer in Hastings Street after Covid lockdown

Struggling retailers have been forced to lay off staff as the normally “booming” Hastings Street remains empty after lockdown.

Noosa retailers say weeks of Covid restrictions and lockdowns have left them struggling to stay afloat as they call on the state government to deliver “immediate” compensation.

I Love Noosa on Hastings Street is just one of the many businesses which have suffered, with management forced to lay off staff as a result.

Store manager Laura Richardson said her business had been going well before closing for lockdown.

But she said there had been a dramatic drop in customers and sales since reopening.

Ms Richardson said only three customers had entered her store by 11.30am on Thursday, and two made a purchase.

Laura Richardson said the normally busy Hastings Street was the quietest she had seen it since the height of the pandemic last year. Picture Patrick Woods.

“Since the lockdown I’ve actually had to lay off another casual so there’s only three of us now,” she said.

“When we’re closed it’s a complete loss, we’re running at a massive negative and even when open we’re running at a loss because we don’t have customers.

She said there were people around but they weren’t shopping.

“I walk past stores like Blended, which is usually booming, there wasn’t even a single customer there which is something you don’t normally see,” she said.

She said the slump was the worst drop off they had seen since the height of the pandemic last year.

“After the last lockdown (in June) figures were good, this is far worse.”

She said Hastings Street relied on interstate tourists and hoped that Victorian travellers would be able to travel to Noosa for the upcoming school holidays.

Hastings Street retailers are struggling as the usually busy shopping strip has been “empty” since lockdown. Picture: Lachie Millard

“It’s Victoria and New South Wales where we find most of the income ... it really is them that bring the money into the street.

“Noosa Junction is still busy because locals go there, they don’t come to Hastings Street.”

Ms Richardson supported calls for the state government to deliver financial compensation for Noosa businesses affected by lockdowns.

“We are not making enough during the day to pay wages let alone our rent and the stock.

“I’m not lying when I say it’s terrible.”

Noosa Junction Associations’ Judi Lalor said their retailers and hospitality vendors were also “severely impacted” by the latest lockdown but were beginning to bounce back.

“It was definitely a challenging time,” she said.

She estimated turnover was down between 50 to 80 per cent at some of their hospitality vendors during the lockdown but business was picking up again as restrictions eased.

“The junction has a very loyal local community, people are definitely out and about in the junction with many of our venues and stores reporting strong bounce back.”

Noosa Junction business are bouncing back as “loyal locals” continue to support them throughout lockdowns. Picture: Geoff Potter

Noosa Chamber of Commerce president Ralph Rogers said they were calling on the Premier to deliver “immediate and direct” financial compensation for Noosa businesses affected by Covid restrictions.

“While the Queensland Government has imposed these restrictions, it has failed to fully acknowledge or compensate affected businesses that have been directed not to trade or to severely minimise their trade,” he said.

The state government announced $5,000 grants would be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by lockdowns.

Eligible businesses don’t have to be located in local government areas subjected to lockdown restrictions, but must have experienced at least a 30 per cent reduction in turnover as a result of lockdowns.

Originally published as Noosa retailers suffer in Hastings Street after Covid lockdown