In another boost to kick-start The Parade’s hospitality sector, 500 vouchers valued at $25 each will be offered to Parade diners from Thursday.
Norwood Payneham & St Peters Mayor and Chair of the Council’s Norwood Parade Precinct Committee, Robert Bria, said the decision by the Committee to fund the Taste of the Parade vouchers was to boost consumer confidence.
“There are so many great cafes, restaurants and eateries on The Parade. Unfortunately, they have been hit very hard by COVID-19 restrictions and density limits,” Mayor Bria said.
“The Taste of the Parade vouchers – which are funded by the Norwood Parade Precinct Committee Separate Rate Levy – will provide a much-needed boost to patronage.
“A $25 voucher will go a long way towards the cost of a main meal so the Committee is confident there will be considerable interest from people wanting to dine on Adelaide’s premier main street.”
Mayor Bria said the vouchers were one of a number of initiatives recently introduced to support businesses in the Council area which have negatively impacted following the opening of the borders in November and the introduction of State Government density limits.
The Council and the Committee have been analysing Spendmapp data which shows electronic transactions by sector in specific locations as evidence of the damage done to the hospitality sector on The Parade and Norwood more generally since Boxing Day.
“Spendmapp data paints a pretty sobering picture on how the reintroduction of density limits in late December, have dampened consumer confidence, which is consistent with the feedback I have received speaking to cafe owners and hoteliers,” said Mayor Bria.
Spendmapp data showed that spending on dining and entertainment in the Norwood area fell from $14 million in October 2021 before the borders opened to $12.6 million in December, and then to $9.55 million in January 2022 after density restriction were reintroduced, amounting to nearly $4.5 million in lost revenue over three months.
“December 2021 and January 2022 were two of the three worst performing months, which shows how devastating the Christmas and New Year restrictions were,” Mayor Bria said.
In January this year, the Council adopted its third Business Assistance Package specifically, aimed to assist businesses affected by density limits.
The package comprises:
- A Discretionary Rebate of the Differential Rate (20%) be provided to all non-residential property owners impacted by the density restrictions introduced by the State Government following the borders opening on 23 November 2021 (i.e. gyms, cinemas, hospitality venues) for the Third Quarter and Final Quarter of 2021-2022;
- Waiving of fees for Outdoor Dining Licenses for the period 1 December 2021 to 30 June 2022;
- Waiving all fines and interest charged on the late payment of the 2021-2022 Third and Fourth Quarter Council Rate payments for all non-residential property owners; and
- Waiving The Parade Separate Rate for all property owners and businesses impacted by the density restrictions introduced by the State Government following the borders opening on 23 November 2021 (i.e. gyms, cinemas, hospitality venues) to be waived for the period commencing 1 December 2021 to 30 June 2022.
To register for the Taste of The Parade voucher please visit: from 12 noon on Thursday, 10 March.
