The Schrinner Council has revealed Brisbane’s food businesses have collectively saved more than $6.5 million in fee waivers since the start of the pandemic.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said more than 7000 businesses across 186 suburbs had their food business and footpath dining fees waived as part of the Economic Recovery Taskforce’s Business Relief Package.
“Our cafes, restaurants and food trucks were some of the hardest hit during the pandemic with many seeing their cash flow evaporate entirely overnight,” Cr Schrinner said.
“My Council made it a priority to support these hard-working owners and their staff through a package of financial relief measures.
“By waiving a range of fees for local food businesses, we’ve helped more than 7000 businesses save a combined total of more than $6.5 million.
“We didn’t want this pandemic to result in empty strips of shops.
“For food businesses, many of which are small, family-owned and the only source of people’s livelihoods, waiving these fees helped them keep their doors open and the lights on.
“Easing financial pressure meant they were able to focus on the important things like keeping their business running, retaining staff and pivoting their operations.”
In total, more than $5.2 million in food business fees and another $1.2 million in footpath dining applications were waived between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020.
Cr Schrinner said Brisbane’s reputation as a food destination rivalling Sydney and Melbourne was growing prior to the pandemic.
“We’re committed to rebuilding Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s most small business-friendly city and will continue to help where we can,” he said.
“Free one-on-one sessions with our food safety officers and Council’s new pre-lodgement service are also helping to make the process of opening and operating a compliant food business simpler.”
The Schrinner Council is continuing to provide financial assistance through a range of measures to small businesses in Brisbane to support them through COVID-19.
For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888.
Visit www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news to keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane.
