Tasmanian restaurants to get taste of back-to-normal

From May 18 Tasmanian restaurants can have up to 10 patrons at time dine with them. But there has been a mixed response from restaurateurs.

THE hospitality industry has reacted with both optimism and trepidation to the news that venues will soon be able to serve a small number of in-house diners.

Bianca Welsh, who co-owns Stillwater and Black Cow in Launceston, said customers had jumped on the phone as soon as the State Government announcement was made that eateries could have up to 10 patrons at a time from May 18.

Bianca Welsh from Stillwater and Black Cow. Picture: FIONA HARDING

However, she and her colleagues were still assessing whether such small-scale in-house dining could be financially viable for the restaurants, which are currently offering takeaway only.

“We had people try to book straight away, people are champing at the bit to go out,” Ms Welsh said.

“But there are a lot of risks and we have to do it safely and sustainably. It’s a lot of pressure and we feel a bit nervous.”

Hobart’s Carl Windsor, who co-owns the 100-seat restaurant Ettie’s, which remains closed, and tiny North Hobart wine bar Willing Bros, which is open for takeaway food, said it was “a relief to see we are starting to head out of this”.

READ MORE NEWS:

UNIVERSITY EXPECTS DRAMATIC DROP IN OVERSEAS STUDENTS

EXPANSION OF DEVIL’S CORNER SITE ON EAST COAST

TASMANIAN NURSE ON THE FRONT LINE IN BRITAIN

CHARITIES FORCED TO COME UP WITH NEW WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS

But he said it would not allow Ettie’s to reopen, given the costs of running such a large venue.

“We’ll keep the status quo, but at least it will allow a few customers to have a drink at the (Willing Bros) bar while waiting for their takeaway,” Mr Windsor said.

Tasmanian Hospitality Industry Association chief Steve Old said many pubs with dining rooms would similarly be unable to make money from so few diners and would have to remain closed until restrictions were lifted further.

Chef Joff Jennings, who owns Blue Eye seafood restaurant in Salamanca, was much more positive about the news.

Unlike other venues that were either too small to allow 10 people in while adhering to social distancing guidelines, and those that were too big to make 10 covers viable, Mr Jennings said Blue Eye was relatively well-placed to benefit from the new rule.

“At the moment we have enough staff on JobKeeper to open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for takeaways so this looks like we’ll be able to open for lunch and dinner on those days,” Mr Jennings said.

He said his and other businesses would undoubtedly struggle once the JobKeeper scheme ended in September, particularly as the virus had hit so many people financially.

“Once we have to start paying wages it’s another story. It all depends how much business is out there,” he said.

“We’re all supporting each other, I’ve been out there getting takeaway from people as well, but how long can that last? How much money have we got?”

The State Government said gatherings could increase to 20 people at a time for indoor and outdoor areas including restaurants and cafes from June 15 and to between 50 and 100 by July 13, depending on public health advice.