Australian Venue Company (AVC) has instigated a number of initiatives to support its staff and other hospitality workers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
AVC is one of the country’s largest hospitality groups and found itself having to close more than 160 venues across six states.
The group has determined to use its team and resources productively. This includes serving free meals to staff and $3 meals to hospitality workers from other venues.
Ten of AVC’s venues remain open and the meals can be collected Wednesday and Fridays. Each week so far, over 1,100 meals have been given away, and an initial $150k was allocated to the program, amounting to 50,000 meals for any employees that need them.
Out-of-work bartenders, baristas, musicians and hospitality workers of all kinds can submit a simple form on the AVC website to quality for the $3 takeaway meals, which are offered at Melbourne’s The Hawthorn Hotel on Wednesdays and Darwin’s Smith St Social on Wednesdays and Fridays.
There are also two schemes to assist AVC’s visa workers not entitled to Government assistance; those with employer-sponsored visas are being paid $550 a week for the duration that they are stood down, once their leave entitlements have been exhausted.
Those on other visas, such as student or working holiday, can apply for assistance out of AVC’s hardship fund. This was established at an initial $100k, but due to demand it has been extended to over $300k.
“We believe that, although the hospitality industry is suffering at the moment, those who can support their staff and the wider hospitality industry should and are doing what they can,” suggests AVC CEO Paul Waterson.
“The last couple of months have been catastrophic for the hospitality industry, but we are proud to be part of an industry that has proved itself to be resilient, supportive and as hard working as ever at this difficult time.
“We will do everything we can to support it now, and when we enter the pathway to recovery.”
