Hospitality businesses are struggling to stay afloat as light rail construction works keep customers away. Photo: Ian Bushnell
Light Rail construction works continue to disrupt business in the city, with hospitality venues particularly hard-hit as customers struggle to find parking and navigate road closures.
Charcoal Restaurant is a 64-year-old steakhouse in the Melbourne Building on London Circuit. Owner Anna Gray told Region that she’s seen a downturn of “more than 50 per cent” since construction started.
“Some days we have no customers at all,” she said.
“My lease expires at the end of the month and I didn’t take the option to renew, simply because we don’t know what will happen. The landlord agrees, and we’re going to run it month to month, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep it open.”
One of the biggest issues, according to Ms Gray, is the lack of parking for customers and staff. She asked the government for staff parking permits, but hasn’t heard back. She even received a parking fine while unloading beer into the restaurant from her car in Odgers Lane.
The golden bull has been a mainstay of civic for over 60 years, but many patrons can’t find parking nearby. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Bar Rochford posted on social media last week, drawing attention to the issues. The award-winning bar should be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, but instead, it’s struggling to cover costs.
“In the last eight weeks, Bar Rochford has broken even only once. So how sustainable is running a business on London Cct at present and into 2027, 2028, 2029?”
“Restaurants, bars and music venues are essential to a city’s culture. It takes years to build and foster that culture and identity, and the ACT Government doesn’t seem to care.
Commenting on the post, a nearby business owner said, “It’s so tough and [we] agree that it’s unsustainable. We have had zero support. Terrible, terrible planning.”
Independent MLA Thomas Emerson spoke to the Legislative Assembly about the need to further support hospitality businesses like Bar Rochford.
“Based on the feedback that I’ve received from affected businesses, [it is clear] that the level of support is not sufficient.
“I’ve repeatedly called for means-tested rates and rent relief to ensure businesses affected by these construction works in the city survive to the other side to enjoy the benefits.”
Bar Rochford patrons used to book ahead to get a seat at the window, but now it looks out onto a construction site. Photo: Bar Rochford/Instagram.
Minister for City Services Chris Steel has suggested restaurants drop off business cards and takeaway menus to the construction sites to encourage workers to support their restaurants.
When put to Charcoal Restaurant’s Anna Gray, she laughed.
“We don’t do takeaway, we’re a steakhouse! They have a half-hour break, they’re not coming to restaurants; they’re sitting on the kerb and eating a sandwich!”
She also said that the advertising campaign run by the government isn’t helpful: “We’ve been here for 64 years. People know where we are.”
What would be helpful, she told Region, is tax relief – similar to what was offered during the pandemic – and more parking.
Other businesses affected by the light rail construction said they are in the process of presenting potential policy solutions to the government to improve the situation.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
