Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou has called for the NSW government to reinstate dining vouchers to support cafes and restaurants struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
Mr Nicolaou told Nine News many small to medium-sized businesses “are feeling the pinch” and would benefit from something similar to the state’s Dine and Discover scheme introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s tougher now than it was during COVID-19,” Mr Nicolaou said, referencing current issues such as the rise in unemployment.
Mr Nicolaou’s call for better support comes amid tougher conditions in the hospitality sector which were highlighted in Business NSW’s Business Conditions Survey earlier this year.
The report found 35 per cent of hospitality sector businesses in NSW are contemplating closure, which is roughly double the 18 per cent for businesses generally.
Source: Nine News.