16/07/2021
We tried…
We honestly tried. For those who know us we are local, we are parents, employers, supporters of local charities and optimists.
Unfortunately businesses are not like a light switch, turning off and then on again.
After last year businesses needed confidence and certainty to rebuild. We almost closed last year and decided to give it one last go, bigger and better than ever. We renovated, we offered more jobs to people in the community and as always have been determined and passionate about creating the friendliest family pub in Yarraville. We offered our spaces to community groups, charitable organisations and held our children’s events again to help families reconnect and supported other small businesses to get back on their feet.
Today entering our 5th lockdown it feels surreal and we feel numb. We now have a checklist: break the news to staff, finalise the cancellations from private events and refund monies paid, cancel dining bookings, organise how to deal with food spoilage and the list goes on. With little to no notice from the government it means losses of thousands of dollars on days that would be our highest trading days.
Yesterday at 5pm when the lockdown was announced I quickly made the decision to not run our Thursday $18 steak night and explained we had a full fridge and menu to get through. Several customers were horrified by this as it wasn’t received well, some even left and decided not to dine in at all. I think it’s timely for a reminder to be kind, always. In every situation, with everyone you are dealing with. For you don’t know what challenges people are facing.
Government support has meant we’ve been able to retain some of our staff members whom have stood by our side, however with no relief on electricity, gas, water, insurances, licensing and etc when we haven’t been able to trade we are still so behind.
The level of anxiety that this has caused for us as business owners and our staff - just needlessly, we now just feel let down. We have come back after each lockdown with the ever hopeful optimism that as Melburnians we stand together and we will get through this, however this time we have nothing left to give, mentally and financially. With a heavy heart we will permanently close The Victoria Hotel Yarraville.
We recently suffered the biggest loss of all an immediate family member my beautiful brother Michael who lost his battle at 31 from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and have decided we will take time to enjoy what’s important and support our family in this time of need.
We are lucky to have had such support around us and for the majority, people who truly loved and appreciated the service we were trying our hardest to deliver. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you.
Our final day of trading post lockdown will be Sunday the 8th of August. We would love to see you all and say thank you for letting us be part of this community for the past 3 years.
Sincerely Annette & family ❤️
