IT’S a hollow feeling, but neither a shock nor surprise, having to shut the doors to Subiaco’s Dilly Dally, says co-owner Patrick Ryan.
The decision was made by owners Mr Ryan and Jeremy Prus to close up shop on Monday after the Federal Government ramped up social distancing rules in an attempt to control the spread of Covid-19.
New guidelines announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison now require at least 4sq m for every person in an enclosed space – creating a knock on effect for the normal trade of restaurants and cafes.
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READ NOW“At the moment it’s a low feeling, not something you can get angry about – it sucks for staff but sucks for suppliers underneath us who have lost so many of clients who were ordering supplies – it affects a lot of industries who are probably even worse off,” Mr Ryan said.
He said “it was inevitable” they would shutdown the Italian-inspired restaurant at some stage.
He has stood down staff members who are now on leave without pay.
“We have had to let go of seven full time staff and 12 casual staff,” he said.
“We are planning on being reopened… but it depends how long it will drag out for – the longer it drags out the harder it will be to reopen but at this stage we are planning to.”
He said launching a takeaway delivery option at the restaurant, which many food businesses are choosing to do, would have provided “false hope” to his staff members.