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TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022
CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY PAGE 3
COMMUNITY CORNER PAGE 7 Best Western Aspen and Apart rtment t proprietors Craig and Marianne Caddy.
READERS GALLERY INSIDE TODAY
SALE businesses are struggling to stay afloat as the Omicron wave swells COVID cases to an all-time high, washing widespread fear and trepidation throughout the local community. Since the pandemic's beginning, many Sale businesses have spent the past 20 months fighting to stay open with the reoccurring lockdowns, continuously changing restrictions and travel limitations. Best Western Aspen and Apartment proprietors Craig and Marianne Caddy revealed that they have chewed through all their savings since the pandemic's beginning. "If it weren't for our landlord, our doors would be shut," Ms Caddy said.
"Yes, we were very fortunate with our landlord. He took a hit. We took a hit," Mr Caddy added. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the relaxation of restrictions generated an influx of tourism and consumer demand, sparking hope for local businesses. "By Christmas, we were completely booked out for over three months," Mr Caddy said. But just as the return to normality seemed plausible, disaster struck, another COVID variant emerged, Omicron, and within the blink of an eye, Sale businesses were under pressure once again. "We are getting so many cancellations, and they are all because of COVID," Mr Caddy said. "This week, we lost $10,000 worth of accommodation in one day." For Mr and Mrs Caddy, the uncertainty of the effects the current wave of COVID will have on business
CONTINUED PAGE 5
Good grief Friedrich...
! y t n le p f o d n la e h t re We a Through fire, flood, earthquaakes and supply demands, we'll always have som mething to celebrate.
Come see us for a full range e of new and used vehicles.
OVER 85 CARS AVAILABLE FOR SALE NOW!
BACK A MATE T AUSTRAHIS LIA DAY
SALE MAZDA & MITSUBISHI 273 Y Yorkk SSt, Sale S l Ph Ph: 5144 1311 www.salemazdaandmitsubishi.com.au
is frightening. Generally, Best Western Aspen and Apartments would be booked out at this time of year, and they were, but as fear increases in the community and case numbers skyrocket, there is only a handful of rooms filled. "We aren't sure if we are going to be able to afford staff next week," Mr Caddy said. Down the road at the Comfort Inn, owner Dianna Radjenovic is preparing to sell as the pressures from Omicron tip the business over the edge. "We just can't cope," Ms Radjenovic said. Pre-COVID, the Comfort Inn was averaging anywhere between 80-100 per cent capacity at this time of year, and now, Ms Radjenovic says they aren't even at 50 per cent.
LMCT. 10439
get to a barber at once!
HAIR IS KKANYEMBA ANYEMBA Raymond Street, Sale
Phone 5144 5746 “Without music, life would be a mistake.” Friedrich Nietzsche
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Zoe Askew