#STAND UP FOR HOSPITALITY
#StandUpforHospitality is a campaign initiated by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association in October 2020 to lobby the Tasmanian Government and the Department of Public Health to ease the COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality industry. The THA has recently reignited the campaign to once again lead the push for the State government to ease the remaining restrictions on our venues.
Volume down on live music events
The live music scene is becoming less lively in Tasmania as operators who rely heavily on gig events grapple with the heavy restrictions, expensive overheads and snap border closures. Indoor live music shows without fixed seating don’t fall under the State Government’s events framework; rather, venues are bound by the general hospitality rules. And while many clubs, pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are struggling with the limited density restrictions and limitations on standing up drinking and dancing, live music venues are arguably hardest hit. Wendy Robbins, licensee of The Royal Oak Hotel in Launceston is an affected operator. “Our live music space is licensed for 160 people, but the COVID capacity rules mean we can sell just 80 tickets for any gig. The artists based on the mainland are having to perform a matinee and an evening show to cover their costs. But that means our staffing costs is doubled in order to open for both shows” Wendy said. The Royal Oak has relied heavily on live music events for music events and had an enviable client list waiting to play at the venue which boasts several different gig spaces. “Our Heritage Bar hosted live music 5 nights per week pre COVID for an audience of up to 100 people. Now the capacity of that space is 32 persons making it financially unviable to host Live Music. The Heritage Bar has been dark post COVID”. “Our income is now 50% of what it was pre- pandemic. The business has not been viable in the last year.”
The clock is ticking for Wendy and her staff. It’s a simple equation, the longer restrictions are in place, the less viable The Royal Oak becomes. “We have injected borrowed capital into the business to cover wages and costs. We have been able to remain open with JobKeeper and COVID subsidies but that’s ended now yet we’re still crippled by these restrictions. We are operating with 50% less staffing.”
If you have an idea or want to get involved in the #StandUpforHospitality campaign, please contact Katelyn Barry THA Communications and Media Specialist. katelyn@tha.asn.au | 6220 7300
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: JUNE 2021 | 20
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