Shingle Inn’s response to latest Covid-19 lockdown in Qld

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MORE HELP NEEDED FOR HOSPITALITY

Facing the business impact of Covid-19 in 2021 is vastly different from that of just 12 months ago, thanks to the ever-diminishing support of state and federal governments. Hospitality stalwarts, the Bellchambers family, owners of the iconic Shingle Inn café and Gilhooleys Irish Pub say it defies belief that no discussion of business support is forthcoming in this latest lockdown, especially given that JobKeeper finished last weekend.

“It feels as though the government has forgotten that lockdowns affect small business and our ability to employ people and operate profitability,” says co-Director Andrew Bellchambers. “There was significant support from the federal government initially but it seems that its too easy now for state governments to impose arbitrary lockdown periods without any thought of the financial burden being inflicted on business.”

Mr Bellchambers says that its not feasible to suggest that cafes and restaurants can operate profitably after 12 months of restrictions, physically limiting the number of customers and forcing businesses to operate under a restricted model, such as they do when they make it everything ‘takeaway only’.

“There seems to be some confusion about what is and is not an essential business too,” says Mr Bellchambers. “At least one shopping centre lessor sent out communications this week saying that retail outlets are essential and should remain open. But if people are being told to stay home, then it doesn’t make sense for those businesses to open, pay their staff and take no income.”

Mr Bellchambers also points to the Lessor Code of Conduct that was nationally introduced in April last year to set a framework for reducing rental payments for businesses who were operating under government-imposed restrictions and, in some cases, unable to open and therefore collect any revenue to pay rent. That agreement ended for many businesses in December, despite Covid-19 continuing to wreak havoc across multiple states since then.

“For each one of these lockdowns, revenue capabilities are reduced, but rental payments aren’t guaranteed to change and minimum staffing requirements are still needed in order to open.”

“The impact of these lockdowns for business lasts for weeks – well beyond a 3 or 7 day ‘official’ closure. Consumer confidence continues to be rattled and state governments who blindly take this action in the name of public safety are taking a soft way out every time with no sense of consideration for small businesses that are paying people’s wages from week to week.”

#ENDS

BRISBANE’S OLDEST CAFÉ TO FEATURE ON THE NEW BRISBANE MONOPOLY BOARD

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Only one year separates the beginning of two iconic and much loved brands – with 1935 marking the year Monopoly sold its first commercial version and 1936 the year when Shingle Inn opened its first café in
Brisbane.

So it is fitting that in Shingle Inn’s 80th anniversary year that its original store, now situated in City Hall, is one of the locations to be featured on Brisbane Monopoly – with all locations announced earlier today.

In April this year Brisbane residents were invited to suggest to suggest Brisbane properties via the Brisbane Monopoly Facebook page and Shingle Inn’s loyal customer base were quick to respond with multiple votes.

Owners of the Shingle Inn, the Bellchambers family, say they are honoured to be featured on the Brisbane edition of the world’s most popular board game.
“Shingle Inn is thrilled to be part of a board game that embodies the key landmarks of Brisbane,” Andrew Bellchambers said.

Andrew’s brother Peter Bellchambers explained further: “Shingle Inn has been a part of the city’s heritage and growth for 80 years. With generations of families sharing traditions within our café, and developing lifelong memories as a result, the brand, like Monopoly, has created a special place in the hearts and minds of residents and visitors alike.”

 

Two New Shingle Inn cafes open

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Shingle Inn has today added two new stores to the growing network of cafes. Franchisees Angela, Gary and Dave opened their first Shingle Inn cafe at Westfield Innaloo, while our Westfield Carindale (lower ground) franchisee, Chochi, opened her second Shingle Inn cafe on level one of the newly opened development at Westfield Garden City. Our wonderful teams have been busy serving delicious coffee, decadent cakes and fantastic meals and look forward to welcoming you to the cafe soon!

Now open in Wollongong Central

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Shingle Inn is now open at Wollongong Central! The cafe is Shingle Inn’s first in Wollongong, and it has been warmly received by locals with a taste for mouth-watering meals, decadent cake and delicious coffee!

We are looking for a franchise partner for this site. If you’ve been dreaming of becoming a cafe entrepreneur, visit our Franchising section for more information.

Logan Hyperdome – we’re moving!

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Shingle Inn Logan Hyperdome is relocating to an exciting new store. From Wednesday 20 August, find us at the Big W end of the Centre, in our beautiful new location.

Shingle Inn Hyperdome will now be a licensed venue, so you can enjoy a glass of bubbles with your Shingle Inn High Tea!

New Cafes Now Open!

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Our newest Shingle Inn is now open at 267 Given Terrace, Paddington! This beautiful store is located within a stunning heritage-listed cottage. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a coffee and slice of cake with us daily.

Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with our store openings and special offers.

Cafe Franchise Heads West

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Brisbane-based cafe franchise, Shingle Inn, is heading west with plans to have four stores launched in Western Australian by December, according to co-Director Andrew Bellchambers.

The company’s first West Australian store was opened prior to Christmas last year at Belmont Forum with locations at Innaloo, Ocean Keys and Cockburn Gateway also on the agenda.

“We believe the West Australian market is well suited to our brand,” says Mr Bellchambers.  “Our business was built on an ethos of hard work, passion and personality as well as family and tradition which are all inherent traits of West Australians.”

“It’s evident in the way customers have embraced our first store at Belmont Forum as well as how hard our franchisees Vic and Chris have worked to enjoy early success as café owners.”

Vic Terpkos, together with his wife, Anne, joined forces with their daughter and son-in-law Kerrie and Chris Patten to join the Shingle Inn cafe franchise as the thirty-ninth store in the network which until then had been located entirely on the eastern seaboard.

“We’re very excited to be Shingle Inn’s first West Australian franchisees,” says Mr Terpkos.

“We were looking for something new and exciting to bring to the people of WA and found the perfect combination of culture, values and beliefs in Shingle Inn.  The history and tradition of Shingle Inn together with the ‘wow’ factor of store design, products and team training helps us to create a unique community café experience for our Belmont Forum customers.”

Mr Bellchambers anticipates that Western Australia will be the biggest growth area in 2014 for the family franchise that first opened its doors in 1936 and began franchising in 2009.

“Although we’re expecting to open more stores in Australia’s Eastern states this year, I believe Western Australia provides our biggest growth opportunity which is very exciting,” says Mr Bellchambers.