Eatery business is booming in Canberra
Canberra restaurants are doing the best business in the country.
According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, they recorded the fastest growing turnover around the nation, turning our capital into one of the most vibrant eating spots in the country,
The ABS data shows the ACTs food industry turnover was sitting at $70.5 million in August. That’s a big increase of almost 20 per cent.
Restaurant & Catering Australia chief executive John Hart says that makes the ACT’s hospitality industry as the fastest growing for Australia.
"The ACT [has] been doing it tough with consecutive declines in industry turnover over the past year. August results are a positive sign consumer sentiment is improving,’’ Mr Hart told the Canberra Times.
“The test will be whether these numbers hold true through the warmer months and Christmas trading period.”
What’s creating the buzz? A lot of restaurateurs end up in Canberra because it’s just so open. And there’s less completion.
Nick Smith, for example, was looking to open a bar in Melbourne but Canberra was more attractive, partly because of its architecture, and partly because it just wasn’t as crowded a market place.
He runs the Bar Rochford in the Melbourne Building in Canberra, serving up wine, cocktails and light meals.
He says the ACT has a lot of offer young operators wanting to set up a bar or eatery.
"Compared to Melbourne definitely, Melbourne was flooded. There were a lot of bars that were great but at the same time I'd walk past and there were minimal people inside," Mr Smith told the Canberra Times.
"Although Canberra is not an easy market to get into, Canberra people want to experience what the bigger cities have. Canberra people know what they want. Everyone's very passionate about Canberra and everybody supports Canberra businesses."
by Leon Gettler, 12th October 2016
