Continuing the Port's Road to Recovery series, this week the Examiner looks at how COVID-19 has impacted the home improvement industry in Port Stephens. The Port's Road to Recovery series aims to paint a picture of individual industries and social issues, how they have been impacted and what the future looks like for them - as told by those on the ground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Locals spending money within their own communities is more important now than ever.
This is the belief held by Port Hunter Sheds and Garages director Tim Spencer and managing director Nathan Whitten who, thankful for the Port Stephens community's support during the COVID-19 pandemic, say spending locally is key to keeping the economy afloat.
"We wouldn't exist without local support and we wouldn't still be working at the moment without it," Mr Spencer said. "We're grateful for the community's support, especially now when it's a really tough time for everyone.
"There's a real flow on effect when you spend locally. You keep locals in jobs who also spend local, support other businesses who in turn support the community. For us, we sponsor the Fingal Bay nippers, surfing, soccer, netball and a speedway driver. Without the support of the community we couldn't do that."
Mr Whitten added: "Three of the suppliers we use for the business are also local, family-operated businesses. Supporting us means supporting them."
While the number of inquiries the Bobs Farm-based business has fielded in the past four months is down on previous years, Mr Whitten said there had been a noticeable trend as to why customers who approached them for a job during the pandemic had done so.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Mapping the Port's Road to Recovery
RELATED READING: Preparation key to pandemic plan
"Families who usually budget for a yearly holiday are unable to travel at the moment so they're using that money for renovations and home improvements," he said.
"We've definitely had people wanting to support local business and Australian products, which is why they came to us. We're seeing people make a conscious effort to support local, buy Australian-made products and support local trades."
While sheds and garages were not included in the federal government's HomeBuilder scheme, which allows homeowners to access a $25,000 cash grant when building or renovating a house, Mr Whitten said the business had still received a comfortable stream of 'genuine inquiries' during the pandemic.
Conscious of the health and safety of the Port Hunter Sheds and Garages team and customers, a number of changes has been made to the way the business operates.
In addition to introducing what has now become standard hygiene procedures, such as encouraging workers to wash and sanitise their hands regularly and physically distance themselves, a greater line of communication has been opened between the business and customers.
This has included workers calling ahead to the customer before arriving at a property. This has meant workers and customers have minimal physical contact.
ALSO READ: Look in backyard for needs