‘Back to Business’ for Scone this Long Weekend

LOCAL businesses are gearing up ahead of the long weekend now that COVID19 restrictions have eased.

Business owners are already seeing an increase in local activity and are hoping the Scone community continues to come out of confinement.

Annie Baker, owner of Asser House Café said she thinks people are starting to feel more comfortable going out.

“A lot of people are booking which is great and we’re also getting walk-ins…I imagine it’s going to be quite busy this weekend,” said Annie.

Chloe Hollingsworth prepping the new pop-up service window at Asser House Café

“Because they are feeling more confident to go out and that’s the main thing, feeling safe,” she said.

After the New South Wales travel ban was lifted on June 1, tourists have already booked Scone as their long weekend holiday destination.

Jen Tomasetti, owner of the B&B Russley Rural Retreat said shes been recalibrating her business model, trying to attract people out of the city.

“I almost lost 100 percent of my business due to COVID-19 but I’m fully booked this weekend with an entire family …they wanted to come and support the area and rural communities so they’re coming up from the northern beaches,” said Jen.

“Business is slowly filtering through now…people get the whole place to themselves at the moment and I imagine in July I’ll be up in full swing,” she said.

For most people, keeping business afloat amongst the ever-changing pandemic restrictions has been an uphill battle.

Romy Kelaher, manager of the Belmore Hotel commended her staff for their resilience and adaptability during the pandemic changes.

“We’ve pretty much changed our business model overnight…it’s constantly evolving and the staff that we’ve retained with the JobKeeper program have just done a really good job and have been really enthusiastic,” said Romy.

“Were very proud of them and we want to have the community support them as well because they really stepped up to the plate,” Romy said.

Romy acknowledged how the hospitality industry will be challenged this year in gaining enough support to sustain a long-term business.

“A lot of people do want to get out which is great,” she said.

“It is really good that you get that initial support but obviously, to be a viable long-term business it needs to be continued support,” she said.

“It’s just a really tricky situation because you just don’t know how financially impacted the locals are and obviously bread and milk comes first before a dinner out or a beer with the mates and that’s totally understandable; but that’s the really hard part, being part of a community your customers are the people that you know,” said Romy.

Romy thinks the lifted travel restrictions will help Scone’s tourism industry as more Australians explore Australia.

“A lot of people travel overseas or even travel interstate so being forced to be contained in a bubble and experiencing things you’ve never really gotten around to experience and enjoying it will be really good for Australians, I think,” said Romy.

“There are a few new processes in place hopefully, that’s short-lived and when more restrictions are lifted people will be able to mingle a bit more,” Romy Kelaher said.