AFTER 16-years operating in Falcon, Miami Marine and Hardware is struggling to keep afloat.
At 65 years old, owner Paul Venables is working six days a week for no wages. He has had to reduce the hours of four staff members to one or two days a week.
It is a grim situation faced by many small businesses, according to Mr Venables.
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READ NOW“Everything seems to be conspiring against us,” he said.
“You just have to walk around Mandurah.”
Mr Venables said it had been a long, cold winter.
“The FIFO have come home, are undercutting the tradies and are no longer spending.
“No one is spending.
“It’s the recession we never had during the GFC (Global Financial Crisis).”
Mr Venables said the turnover for his business was $40,000 in July last year, compared to a $20,000 turnover in July this year.
“People need to realise the choices they make have a huge impact on the community.
“If you buy your bait and tackle from big business, locals are going to suffer.
“Do you want your money going towards the super-boats of the big bosses?
“The corporatisation of big business takes no prisoners.
“If we do go under, I want people to know why.”
Staff member Nerrida Donnelly has worked at Miami Marine and Hardware for 15 years. She has a mortgage and was forced to look for other work when her hours were reduced.