Small business owners in Wellington are feeling the pinch as public sector job cuts loom, with fears that their already struggling businesses will take another hit. Vanessa and Steve Jones, owners of Best of the Bunch Florist, expressed concern about the impact of the job cuts on their business, which heavily relies on government workers.
Vanessa Jones highlighted the current struggles faced by small businesses in the Wellington CBD, with many shops sitting empty due to a lack of customers. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have already taken a toll on businesses like theirs, especially with more people working from home and fewer customers coming through their doors.
Ramesh Parbhu from Molesworth Shoe and Bag Repairs echoed these sentiments, noting that his business had never fully recovered from the pandemic and the prospect of losing more trade was daunting. Similarly, OisÃn Tegeler from Frank’s Coffee and Eats expressed nervousness about the job cuts impacting their business, with several regular customers already losing their jobs.
Greater Wellington regional councillor Yadana Saw emphasized the ripple effect of the job cuts on small businesses, noting that some may not be able to survive the added stress. With over 1000 people expected to lose their jobs in the CBD, the impact on businesses, from lunchtime trade to overall spending, could be significant.
As businesses struggle to stay afloat, the looming job cuts serve as a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by small businesses in the current economic climate.