Council support aids business recovery

Pictured: Alex Williams and Mayor Mark Bennett at Dachshund Coffee.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hunter’s Hill Council fee waivers are assisting local businesses and organisations as they seek to remain active and work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the outset of the pandemic, the Council waived on-street dining fees for local businesses, sporting field hire fees and community centre and hall hire fees, and will continue to do so for the remainder of 2020.

Alex Williams who, along with twin brother Matt, owns Dachshund Coffee in Hunters Hill Village said the support of the Council and broader community was of great assistance. The business was making a quicker than expected recovery from the earlier stages of the pandemic and previous lockdown.

“Our outdoor dining makes up 70 per cent of our dining capacity,” he said.

“So it’s really crucial to the profitability of our business.”

Mr Williams said Dachshund was fortunate to have a flexible outdoor space to accommodate required physical distancing.

“The waiver of fees is incredibly advantageous when our revenue almost halved overnight,” Mr Williams said.

“Any money saved meant business could continue to operate and continue to employ people and pay salaries.

“It’s very generous and we welcome the support.”

Other measures introduced at cafe include wireless beacons on tables that allow patrons to use tap or scan functions on their smart phones to view menus and order and pay for food and drinks, to reduce touch points and further assist with physical distancing.

Mayor Mark Bennett said people wanted to take care of each other in the Hunters Hill community.

“I think it’s a time when communities have an opportunity to come together and it builds a stronger community when we’re helping each other,” he said.

“It’s all about cooperation and making sure people survive a very difficult situation.

“And it’s about business, but it’s really about people.

“It’s about keeping businesses running and keeping people connected.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Jacqui Jones, Communications Officer. Phone: (02) 9879 9400

Email: jonesj@huntershill.nsw.gov.au

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