Covid-19 impacted business harder than anyone could have expected. With harsh restrictions having been put in place and the sudden lockdown laws, local businesses did not know what to do or how to react. Forced to close doors for two months or find ways to generate income to keep the business running were plans no owner had thought of or could figure how to make do with.
Lucky enough, most businesses were able to re-open after restrictions had been lifted and adjust to new laws to keep customers safe and willing to come back.
General manager of The Victoria in Bathurst, Heath, said the lockdown was a shock for them, as a business that was always busy, it came out of nowhere. It was a lot to take in for them, yet allowed the company to breathe and complete renovations like many other businesses took advantage of.
"Although being closed is something nobody had planned or wished or saw coming, it's not the end of the world. It's not one of those things that we are not bitter or angry the fact that we had to close, we are just happy to deal with whatever comes along and make the best of whatever the situation is because everyone's in the same situation, so there's no point trying to break the rules or compete or be reactive," Heath said.
Heath’s ambition was to not let the new COVID Safe restrictions change the heart and soul of pubs, which allows people to drop in for a beer or a meal and to come and see live music. What they had to do was modify how they do that slightly. It was about making the public experiences as safe as possible.
Unfortunately, many people and businesses lost money during the lockdown, and with that, a lot of business have had to change their system. No company can make back what they use to make overnight. The Victoria relies on the loyalty and the community to raise them and be respectful of the new changes, what they want is for the region to experience good food, music and environment, which is what they have got going for them.
"The regulars are back strong. We have our very local and loyal regulars and less of the floaters."
While Covid-19 has been gloomy for everyone Heath has found it to be quite rewarding for the business and his staff. The staff have become more energetic and more focused on the big picture and the industry.
"A lot of people talk about appreciating having a job, but it is more than just having a job. There's a lot of budget and strategy that have to go into surviving that period, with staff and suppliers because everyone is in a similar situation," says Heath.
The Victoria team is stronger than ever, their venue is way more efficient, and up to date, as far as their projects and what they wanted to create with the property, they are a little closer to where they want to be. Not only has their following increased, their loyalty and customer base are precisely where they want it to be. They do not have any complaints about the shutdown as there was nothing, they could do to stop that; it only goes up from here.
Published by Bathurst City Life
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