Business Sydney call for dining vouchers to save restaurants
Business Sydney has proposed the return of free NSW dining vouchers to assist with cost-of-living pressures.
The move would help customers and hospitality venues alike and would potentially stem the flow of restaurant closures.
Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou wrote to NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey recommending bringing back the scheme.
“The dining voucher scheme was a resounding success when it was employed by the previous government and it can be again,” Nicolaou said.
The situation is dire for restaurants at the moment. According to Business NSW’s Business Conditions Survey, 35 per cent of hospitality businesses are considering closure, while 61 per cent of hospitality stores are having cash flow disruptions. A further 82 per cent are reporting a decline in customer visits.
“There is no doubt the hospitality sector is doing it tough as a result of the cost-of-living crisis reducing consumer discretionary spending. This has seen numerous restaurant and cafe operators forced to close their doors as costs and reduced activity overtake their businesses,” Nicolaou said in his letter.
“The crisis is particularly hard felt in the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs, which were already struggling to recover with reduced foot traffic and embedded work-from-home arrangements.
“The sector needs a circuit breaker to get businesses through this crisis period. It would be excellent if the vouchers could be reintroduced at least in the Sydney and Parramatta areas to encourage more out-of-home dining.”
Jonathan Jackson, 20th May 2024
