South-west businesses say density limit of 10 makes re-opening not worth the trouble

Portland's Royal Hotel owner Michael Pickles said the announcement offered little hope to his business, which had been locked down four times in as many months since he bought it.

"It's like a comedy show, I'm sure it's a practical joke," he said.

"It's April fool's day isn't it? Ten people inside - why not make it 30 and make it feasible?"

He said any decision to open would not be easily made.

"The inconvenience financially physically and mentally that this is going to put on our business, is it worth it?" he asked.

"We make decisions on mathematics, so we're going to sit down and see if we can open and do this. For us, we've got a nice outdoor area with a bar and the outdoor density plan is 20 people and 10 inside.

"We're throwing some ideas around already and we potentially could open but we wouldn't make money - it'd keep people employed and keep doors open but we don't know, it's not feasible, really. Overheads at around $10,000 a week and having 10 people at a time is not going to cover that.

"We're going to have to stock up now if we want to open and we're going to have to try and maybe make seating times and get people in and out on time."

It's been a difficult four months for Mr Pickles, who said he had only just received confirmation of a financial support payment from July.

Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said she had received many calls from people in hospitality about problems with support payments.

"I've had calls from pubs, restaurants, cafes and other small business across my electorate who just get no information about their support payments, their applications have been left in limbo, there are constant errors in payments and processes and when the businesses question it and try to get clarity, they just get nothing in return," Ms Britnell said.

"They are being left in limbo, watching their applications waiting for it to progress and keeping an eye on their bank accounts hoping and waiting for those supposed automatic payments to come in.

"But they are told to be patient, to wait, that the money is coming. That's not good enough - it's not fair. These businesses are on their knees, they are doing the best they can, they are trying to survive, but they are being held back by the Government and the bureaucracy.

"We've had seven lockdowns now to get this system right, but it's still floundering, it's still leaving people in absolute despair, not knowing how they can survive. I'm working with businesses and the government to try and get some movement on these applications and to make sure small business is being properly supported but the Government's wheels are just turning too slowly and it's business owners who are being left behind."

Hotel Warrnambool owner Steve Philpot had shut the doors to his business at the beginning of regional Victoria's most recent lockdown.

He said the venue would not re-open this Friday.

"It's not worth it," he said.

"Ten people in a triple-story hotel ... it's a kick in the guts."