‘Look around, the city’s dead’: CBD businesses on the brink after lockdown

On a usual Friday at lunchtime, Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar would have a queue stretching down Bourke Street, says owner David Malaspina. But this was no usual Friday.

Mr Malaspina said he was forced to trash or give away thousands of dollars in stock at the start of the snap shutdown two weeks ago, and any further shutdowns would be ruinous for small businesses trying to climb back from the past 15 months of rolling restrictions. Friday was the first day in a fortnight Melburnians have been able to shop and dine in person, but on the eve of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, activity in the central business district was subdued.With density limits again in place for offices, restricting the number of people inside to 25 per cent of normal capacity, city workers stayed away in droves.

Bourke Street Mall had regained some of its buzz, but the courts precinct along and around William Street was eerily quiet. The Metropolitan Hotel and several nearby cafes had signs in their windows announcing they had permanently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. “We rely on offices. Takeaway, cafes and us - everyone relies on offices. If the offices are not there, it means no business for us.”Open for business: Michael Mawa at Blackstone Barbers on Friday.Professor Sutton and acting Premier James Merlino said the lockdown was necessitated by the nature of the outbreak.“I have never said that lockdowns are the first measure,” Professor Sutton said. “They will never be the first measure.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah I went to Collingwood and in Burke St, Lonsdale St on Thursday and Friday. Things were slow but they were customers nonetheless. Hell, I even went out of my way and visited several shops I don’t usually go to in an attempt to show my support. Outside the CBD has it way worst imho

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah So the Guys says 'you can't do lockdowns anymore'?. What would he prefer? Lockdown - no one coming his shop. No lockdown - hundreds of people dying and no one coming to his shop. This notion lockdowns are optional, especially after last winter, is baffling.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah A queue stretching down Bourke St? Really, the average city based worker would get an hour max for lunch and you think it’s plausible they’d spend that time queuing? I don’t think so. Capital cities all over the world are changing, pandemics will do that.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Not sure why you deleted your original tweet, The Age, but it changes nothing.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah I don't think people are lining up for pellegrinis. Regardless, people in Melbourne expect a lockdown every few months

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Worked 7ish doors down for many years. Never once saw a queue.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Pellegini’s is great. Have never seen a queue that stretches down Bourke St though.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Never seen a queue there ever. Is there really any need to tell porkies like that?

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah A queue.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah I have literally never, ever seen a queue there.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Well - we are in the middle of a global pandemic - what do you want - BAU?

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Yeah, yeah, we are all suffering. Enough with negativity

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Bit of perspective

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah In his imagination. 🙄

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Never, ever seen a queue here.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah This pathetic Vic govt and Sutton have flatten Victoria.

CraigDButt heyracheddie _Biancah Melbourne cbd has been destroyed. Will take months/ years to recover.

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