THE Limestone Coast hospitality sector is already showing significant signs of improvement since the State Government green-lit further easing of COVID-19 restrictions as more dining areas opened to patrons yesterday.
In-house customer service has been reinstated at many of the region’s eateries in line with government guidelines permitting up to 80 seated patrons spread across multiple rooms at hospitality businesses, including restaurants, cafes, wineries, pubs, breweries and bars.
Strict social-distancing measures and hygiene protocols remain in place across the sector, but the easing of restrictions has been overwhelmingly positive for Kim Robinson who manages the Muffin Break Mount Gambier Marketplace and Mount Gambier Central outlets.
Partnering in the businesses with her mother and sister, Ms Robinson revealed overall revenue slumped as much as 53pc during the peak of the health and economic crisis, putting significant financial strain on both storefronts.
“COVID-19 has definitely made us see thing differently and it placed us in a pretty difficult financial situation,” she said.
“At the moment we are sitting at around a 10pc decrease in sales which is a massive improvement.
“I think during the week, we will see things slowly return back to normal.”
Ms Robinson said the initial changes brought on by the coronavirus outbreak were extremely stressful given she had to juggle many parts of running both businesses.
“I was basically doing 90-odd hour weeks as we only kept three other staff on at the time,” she said.
“Since JobKeeper, the payments allowed us to bring all our staff back and if I had of kept going the way I was, I would have definitely burnt out.
“I am having some time off now and making sure all the girls are working again and I am hoping we can claw our way back to where we were before.”
Understanding of all businesses impacted by COVID-19, Ms Robinson hoped the hospitality industry would eventually return to normal.
“I think the gradual ease of restrictions has been effective instead of all at once as it would have been quite difficult to adjust,” she said.
“We thank our loyal customers and I honestly think we might have some of the most loyal customers you can find.”
Welcoming both new and familiar faces yesterday, Ms Robinson said she had noticed many regulars return back for their daily coffee run.
“Many of our customers are from Woodlands Grove Retirement Village and we have seen a lot of residents return back in the past few weeks,” she said.
“With both stores situated in a shopping complex and with the food courts closed, it did impact as little bit, but it has helped with dining now an option.”
Implementing the COVID-19 Safe plan at both stores and following daily advice, Ms Robinson welcomed patrons back into their dining areas.
“We are a very approachable business in the community and we invite everybody to pop in for a bite or coffee,” she said.
