Locals our most prized ingredient

TERRITORIANS are continuing to fiercely support their local pubs, cafes and restaurants through the coronavirus pandemic, with some businesses reportedly starting to reach pre-COVID trading levels.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said while it was a “mixed bag” how businesses were performing, the support showed by Territorians would result in some not being eligible for extensions in the federal government’s JobKeeper scheme.

“It’s a mixed bag for us, but it’s not all bad news,” he said, suggesting people who had to cancel overseas or interstate plans were now “probably enjoying themselves having another meal out here instead”.

“Pleasingly, some of our places won’t be eligible (for JobKeeper) anymore because they are closer to same trade as last year.”

Mr Bruce hoped to see increased tourism activity when the Territory opened its borders to Greater Sydney in October.

“Albeit we’re heading into the clammy season, I think there is some pent-up demand from at least friends and relatives down that way. They do want to come up and vice versa,” he said.

He also urged Territorians to keep backing local businesses.

“This year it’s really brought home for us how important local customers are to our businesses,” he said.

“We appreciate it, we don’t take it for granted. If they can keep throwing support behind us, we’ll continue to back them.”

Yots Greek Taverna owner Evan Papandonakis explained as each stage of restrictions was eased, waves of customers came and went, which had allowed his business to operate at a steady pace.

“Initially we came out with a lot of local support,” he said.

“Now that the borders are down we’re seeing South Australians and Queenslanders start to filter through. We’re moving forward, we’re having our key moments and it’s quite positive.

“The outlook until the end of the year is quite positive.”

Mr Papandonakis said while the current $10m refurbishment of the Cullen Bay precinct was somewhat impeding, the development would become a great asset to the area.

“We’re starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“And after we come out the other end it’s going to be an absolutely beautiful precinct.”

Restaurateur Jason Hanna said the federal government’s JobKeeper scheme had become a lifesaver for many hospitality businesses.

“Every little bit has seriously helped, and without it I would say that a number of my operations would probably have ceased to exist,” he said.

He said JobKeeper, alongside local government initiatives, had been a tremendous help, but warned once these initiatives ended it would not be “business as usual”.

“All of a sudden we’ve actually, in reality, got a profitable business model,” he said.

“But we all know that’s short-lived.”

ALL OF A SUDDEN WE’VE ACTUALLY, IN REALITY, GOT A PROFITABLE BUSINESS MODEL. BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT’S SHORT-LIVED

RESTAURATEUR JASON HANNA