Insights from RG Strategic
When can my hospitality business reopen?
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Posted April 27, 2020
Business Strategy, Liquor Licensing, Tourism & Events, Town Planning
Right now, as new cases of COVID-19 dwindle and state governments start to ease restrictions, the big question is when bars, cafés, restaurants and other hospitality-based businesses will be able to reopen.
Several experts say could be up to four months away.
Queensland’s former chief health officer, Prof Gerry Fitzgerald is suggesting that hospitality businesses will need to wait another four months before being able to reopen.
Prof Fitzgerald, now a professor at QUT, believes that in 6 months most of the restrictions in place will have been eased with the exception of international travel, which he believes is 12 months away at least.
Restaurants, bars and cafés among the last to open to regular trade
The first restrictions to ease after the latest announcements by the State Government will be schools reopening and people returning to offices, Prof Fitzgerald stated. In three months he sees indoor and outdoor social distancing measures eased and in about four months the hospitality industry could see some restrictions eased but with social distancing still in place.
Professor Peter Collignon, a professor of microbiology at the Australian National University, concurs and sees bars and pubs not reopening until after winter.
The Federal Health Minister has also stated that pubs and bars won’t be returning soon: “Even when that decision is made, there may still be significant measures to maintain social distancing and to support good hygiene”.
How can you survive this crisis?
The key for hospitality businesses is to ensure they can weather this storm. Take advantage of every available item of support from the Federal Government, State Government, and your local council. Get the right advice to ensure you maximise the benefits you are entitled to. Continue to monitor your situation to see if you qualify for new supports or for supports you may not have qualified for before.
COVID-19 hospitality help and advice
- What’s next for restaurants in the post-Covid world?
- Help with Tourism, Hospitality and COVID-19 Legislation
- Noosa Council and COVID-19 Business Support
Think outside the box and pivot your offering
Look at ways to pivot or expand your offering for ongoing trade. This is easier for cafés and restaurants, whereas accommodation businesses will struggle.
Emilia’s Café in Gympie started by initially offering a comprehensive menu as a takeaway option. They are now about to launch ready-made pasta and gnocchi dishes and applied for and received a liquor license to ensure they could offer appropriate beverages as part of their take-home option as well.
Clouds Montville established their Clouds Gourmet Pantry as an offshoot to their café and restaurant. Through the Pantry they offer a comprehensive take-away menu and frozen take-home meals, as well as a selection of alcoholic beverages to take away as well.
The Ohana Kitchen and Event Co on the Sunshine Coast, renowned for their weddings, events, and catering, wanted to ensure that their pivot supported their existing providers and suppliers. They created The Crate Collective offering local and sustainable products in a crate. You can jump online and order one of their gourmet crates which includes a wonderful selection of ethically sourced products, wines, raw ingredients and recipes.
Plan now for life after COVID but don’t stop what you are doing
As cases continue to dwindle the call to reopen the economy from struggling businesses will grow louder and louder. We must, however, remember that if we do reopen too soon, we could end up back where we started, or worse.
All levels of government must be as transparent as possible with regards to their upcoming plans to reopen the economy – and their advice must be clear and unequivocal. Businesses cannot be left to guess as to what a change in restrictions means. We are at a critical point in this crisis and if we have learnt anything from the past it’s that we can’t leave this to guesswork. The people and businesses that drive our local economies deserve better.
It is a difficult time but the best thing to do now is to figure out what you can offer now and then wait and plan for how your business will be able to relaunch successfully when restrictions are finally eased.
If you are looking to pivot during this crisis, talk to RG Strategic for strategy, liquor licensing and town planning advice.
On behalf of the Tinbeerwah Hall Cttee I would highly recommend RG Strategic. Russell, Maree and the team are all highly professional and very knowledgeable in dealing with Council town planning processes. They provided a thorough and effective service managing the application for the hall, and I cannot thank them enough for obtaining the appropriate approval/permit from Noosa Council to install toilets etc in our community hall.
Sylvia Covey
Tinbeerwah Hall Committee
I have found Russell Green of RG Strategic to be one of the most knowledgeable people around, especial with anything to do with local or state planning issues, his honest accurate advice, is simply refreshing and exactly what is required. Thanks, Russell for all your help in the past and especially with our most recent project, the desired outcome achieved with the least amount stress! Thanks for the great work. Iain and Laura
Ian Kippen
Noosa Paint and Panel - Noosa
When we made the decision to re-launch the Noosa Enduro, Russell and his team at RG Strategic was the first phone call we made. Russell's immense knowledge of the local council landscape and processes were vital to our event to ensure correct planning, applications and permits were in place. The professionalism shown throughout all of our high level dealings and documents elevated our event and helped provide confidence to all key stakeholders. I'm thrilled we made the decision to engage Russell and the team at RG Strategic and I will remain a client for many years to come.
Matt Wilson
Noosa Enduro - Sunshine Coast
Extremely helpful - prompt and explanatory. All that I could have asked for and more! Thank you Russell and Team.
Bruce Black
Town Planning Advice - Moreton Bay