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Open Letter to Mark McGowan

 
On Wednesday 2 February 2022, together with several Industry peers, Sneakers & Jeans CEO Andy Freeman published an Open Letter to the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan.

The objective of the Letter was to seek clarity, information and support to effectively navigate the crippling impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have on the Hospitality Industry.

WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK & SUPPORT IN THE COMMENTS BELOW...

 

 

Dear Premier,

This letter intends to highlight several areas of severe concern for the Western Australian hospitality industry – while also shining a light on several other ‘sister’ industries including arts, tourism, entertainment and retail.

I own and operate several hospitality venues within the Perth CBD under the Sneakers & Jeans brand banner, including Pirate Life Perth, Caballitos, The Flour Factory, Goody Two’s, Hadiqa, TOMA and Varnish on King.

Up until recently, my businesses employed 150+ staff. Sadly, more than 70% of our workforce had to be stood down last month due to significant downturn in trade as a result of WA’s COVID-19 alarmism, restrictions, confusion, uncertainties and inconsistent directions. In addition, there are added costs to manage and enforce the government restrictions and mandates. How long are we expected to continue in this vain? It is impossible to sustain the current situation which is causing considerable distress and other consequences.

In business, if we can clearly understand what we are up against and what we are required to do – we can at least plan and attempt to address some of the consequences. We then have an opportunity to manoeuvre, pivot, make changes – but more importantly we, as employers, can support and empower staff, colleagues, peers, friends, family etc.

Clear direction is critical. Transparency is key. Consultation is essential. None of this is happening.

Since late December 2020 we have been blindly navigating the crippling impact this pandemic and restrictions are having on our industries which have been major contributors to the culture, community and the economy of WA.

Businesses in the hospitality and related industries in WA have invested hundreds of millions of dollars and decades of resources into developing world-class services and facilities for the benefit of the whole State, but as of yet we have:
 

  • NO dates around border reopening

  • NO dates for actioning close contact redefinition

  • NO offer of financial support for businesses affected in 2022

  • NO offer to cover the costs of managing the government restrictions and mandates

  • NO offer of financial support for our staff that are out of work due to the impacting loss of trade / business interruption (or closure)

  • NO visibility of a roadmap to navigate us through the impacted downturn

Premier, we are asking for proper consultation and answers. Please.

We desperately need direction, clarity, support and transparency in terms of the Government’s “plan” for the State’s valuable hospitality and related industries.

Tell us how these industries can survive.

Businesses need to be able to confidently work to strengthen and rebuild our industries, staff and consumer confidence and national and international profile.

There is a very real risk that many businesses will close soon – either by reluctant choice as the easier option, or permanently forced to do so due to financial losses.

We look forward to hearing from you urgently. Hopefully before any more irreparable damage is done to our beloved industries that provide much of the character and history of Western Australia and hopefully before the road to recovery gets any longer, harder – or worse still, unattainable.

Yours Sincerely,

Andy Freeman
CEO – Sneakers & Jeans Hospitality Group

C/O 
Eamon Sullivan: Owner / operator of Bib & Tucker, Pogo, Goody Two’s
John Parker: Owner / operator of The Standard, The Royal Hotel, Fleur, Willy’s
Laurie Thorpe: State Manager – Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group
Miles Hull: Managing Director – Dark Horse Hospitality Group
Paul Aron: Owner / operator of Mary Street Bakery, TINYS, Offshoot Coffee Roaster & Café

30 comments

  • Covid restrictions is only suppressing other health and sociology-psychological icebergs in our community. Additionally, it is a fact that uncertainty creates anxiety. Time to let go off covid and live life, noting that this virus has taught us to be gentler to the world we live in.

    Muralee
  • Agree completely. As business owners we are very good at rolling with the punches but lately the punches are coming thick and fast. It is time for the goal post to stay in one position so that we can all plan, restore and bounce back and get on with what we in hospitality do best.

    Fleur Cassidy
  • Well said !
    We need some answers Mark

    Anna
  • Well said Andy
    This state needs a shared vision for the short to mid term so we can all plan to move forward.
    Without a plan, businesses are navigating through a fog, with one hand on the brake and one on the accelerator not knowing what is going to jump in front of them next.
    It is not as though the government don’t have any case studies to observe, the whole country has just through this as well as hundreds of other countries
    Give us a “Vision” Mark !!!!

    Craig Joel
  • I am sure the fact the Labor Party is full of party hacks and union officials with no practical business experience is contributing to decisions that are very unhelpful to business.

    Kingsley Sullivan

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