National Local Day tick of support for North-West hospitality industry - The Advocate

Coasters are being encouraged to go out and support our pubs and clubs for 'National Local Day', marking twelve months of the industry being served up closures, restrictions and uncertainty from coronavirus. Beach Hotel publican Ben Carpenter said he had a very funny feeling on the day the establishment was forced to shut up. "Shutting with no knowledge of when you would reopen was scary, but the hardest part was telling the staff, letting them go to the wind with nothing we could do about it," Mr Carpenter said. "At this point there was no JobKeeper, so we had no answers." Mr Carpenter is a board member of the hospitality association, he said there had been no clarity from politicians and health departments on the next steps forward to reopen the industry. Lion state sales manager for Tasmania, John Burchill said the hospitality was the first industry to shut, and one of the last to open. "Obviously it was really tough," Mr Burchill said. "It was compounded in Burnie with the second lockdown in May." He said there had been good stories emerge despite being hit by restrictions with businesses showing resilience and pivoting in what it offers. IN OTHER NEWS: The Beach Hotel was one establishment that pivoted. "After a few weeks of being shut, we started doing takeaway," Mr Carpenter said. Mr Carpenter said they were doing around 250-300 takeaway meals a night. "We started with one delivery car, and ended up needing four. The community really supported this well." He said trade was now good, particularly with borders a bit more stable. "I feel proud that we were able to change the business model at a moments notice, and pivot and move, and still have our doors open today." Mr Burchill said the National Local Day was about getting people to support their local. Brewer Lions is offering $15 vouchers to patrons to spend at its local pubs and clubs. What do you think? Have your say by sending us a Letter to the Editor using the form below.

Coasters are being encouraged to go out and support our pubs and clubs for 'National Local Day', marking twelve months of the industry being served up closures, restrictions and uncertainty from coronavirus.

Beach Hotel publican Ben Carpenter said he had a very funny feeling on the day the establishment was forced to shut up.

"Shutting with no knowledge of when you would reopen was scary, but the hardest part was telling the staff, letting them go to the wind with nothing we could do about it," Mr Carpenter said.

"At this point there was no JobKeeper, so we had no answers."

Mr Carpenter is a board member of the hospitality association, he said there had been no clarity from politicians and health departments on the next steps forward to reopen the industry.

Lion state sales manager for Tasmania, John Burchill said the hospitality was the first industry to shut, and one of the last to open.

"Obviously it was really tough," Mr Burchill said.

"It was compounded in Burnie with the second lockdown in May."

He said there had been good stories emerge despite being hit by restrictions with businesses showing resilience and pivoting in what it offers.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The Beach Hotel was one establishment that pivoted.

"After a few weeks of being shut, we started doing takeaway," Mr Carpenter said.

Mr Carpenter said they were doing around 250-300 takeaway meals a night.

"We started with one delivery car, and ended up needing four. The community really supported this well."

He said trade was now good, particularly with borders a bit more stable.

"I feel proud that we were able to change the business model at a moments notice, and pivot and move, and still have our doors open today."

Mr Burchill said the National Local Day was about getting people to support their local.

Brewer Lions is offering $15 vouchers to patrons to spend at its local pubs and clubs.

What do you think? Have your say by sending us a Letter to the Editor using the form below.

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National Local Day tick of support for North-West hospitality industry - The Advocate
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