Trappers Bakery of Goulburn takes a hit from COVID lockdowns

"It's devastating," he told The Post.

"The business we run is reliant on traffic from Sydney and Melbourne and it has been crippling to say the least."

READ MORE:

Trappers Bakery 'needs assistance' as Goulburn businesses feel the effects of COVID-19

Business picks up for Trappers Bakery after COVID-19 alert

'This will bite business hard': Chamber predicts business closures

Deputy Premier says communities will be told "well before Saturday" about lockdown extension

On any 'normal' day, Trappers Bakery of Goulburn is hopping with travellers and locals. The surrounding South Goulburn service centre is also buzzing as motorists drop in for fuel, food, toilet stops and the obligatory browse through The Big Merino.

But this week is not normal and is a stark reminder of COVID's continuing impact on the food and hospitality sector. It hit home for Trappers on June 1 when the business shut down for two days for a deep clean following a COVID scare.

Mr Woodman previously told The Post that trade picked up over the June long weekend but snow traffic had dried up with the Sydney and now regional lockdown.

ALSO READ: Nominations open for Business2580 Awards

Bakeries were among businesses exempt from closure but people still had to abide by the rules. On Sunday, the first day after the lockdown announcement, Mr Woodman said only three shopfront staff were needed, as opposed to 20 normally. He estimated turnover was down 80 per cent

The family's adjoining Bakery Motel was also feeling the effects of Melbourne's lockdown but the service centre in general was quiet.

The Woodmans' Bakery of Braidwood was battling COVID's impact but was also faced with the Kings Highway's looming closure from August 31 to early December between Misty Mountain Road and River Forest Road.

ALSO READ: Take PCYC's fitness challenge for 'Fit 5 Funraiser'

This is to allow for removal of 400 'high risk' trees on the Clyde Mountain pass. On Tuesday, Transport for NSW modified the closure times to three days a week in response to community outcry about the business impact. The authority also decided to leave the highway open in the September school holidays and October long weekend.

"It's been a diabolical year...We've been hit from every angle," Mr Woodman said.

Like others, he believed Goulburn had been relatively fortunate with a low number of COVID cases, but a statewide lockdown was "inevitable."

"I hope we come out of it soon because we certainly need business," Mr Woodman said.

"I think we would be one of the hardest hit because we rely heavily on passing trade. Some in the main street may not be affected at all."

ALSO READ: Good news for Matt Tremble as cancer decreases in size

He maintained some other inland areas like Cowra and Young were faring relatively well in the current climate.

However Goulburn Chamber of Commerce president Darrell Weekes said this week that the lockdown would hit business hard on the back of a "tough" 18 months and predicted some could close as a result.

Mr Woodman said his message to government was that business needed help.

We care about what you think. Have your say in the form below and if you love local news don't forget to subscribe.