By Gabriella Payne
The news of another lockdown came as a crushing blow to many businesses along Pakenham’s Main Street, as many were forced to shut up shop once again on Friday 16 July.
With only essential services being allowed to remain open, many business owners were left in the lurch and when we stopped to check in and see how they were coping, many shared their feelings of disappointment and dismay at the news of another lockdown.
“It’s incredibly difficult,” Helen Davison, the owner of Nourish Natural Health Food Store said.
“I have been able to stay open because I sell food and supplements, but I know so many of the other businesses here who are struggling.”
Ms Davison said that it wasn’t only the economic impact that left her store reeling each time a lockdown was announced, but the mental health impacts were taking a huge toll on society overall and something needed to change.
“I felt that the last lockdown was the final straw – but this one definitely is,” she said.
Vanessa Slade, the owner of hair and beauty salon Kutting Kapers, said that the sudden announcement had come as a huge blow to her business.
“It came out of nowhere yesterday – it was done really quickly and we were told really late,” Ms Slade said on Friday morning.
“Not only were we already booked out, people were ringing and saying are you going to be there tomorrow? And we said, well you know obviously if there’s a lockdown, no we won’t be – but it’s more about what we come back to, it’s absolute mayhem,” she said.
“Most people are really understanding, but it’s exhausting.
If we open next Wednesday, we’ll be doing stupid hours – we’re still recovering from the last lockdown.”
While Ms Slade said that her business would most likely be eligible for some government assistance, it would make little difference as “it doesn’t even cover overheads, let alone staff wages”, not to mention the huge mental toll these recurring lockdowns were having on her and her staff.
Pascal Lo, the owner of popular cafe Vanille Bistro echoed Ms Slade’s comments and said that while the situation “is what it is”, it was disappointing that businesses weren’t given more notice of the sudden lockdown.
“We’ve got no other choice than closing down and in terms of how it’s affecting us, it’s a flow on effect,” he said.
“From losing stock to our staff losing their shifts, especially at short notice, I think it could have been done better.”
