Tamworth customers turning to 'post-COVID mindset', providing boost to business owners

Even when restrictions were lifted late last year, and then again ditched after the Omicron peak had passed, people remained very uncertain about getting out and about, causing headaches for businesses that had flung open their doors.

At the time the Leader spoke to The Press and Williamsburg director Luke Fielding, who said while things were slow, he was quietly optimistic the rest of the year would be better.

Now, whether it's down to people coming to terms with the fact getting COVID may be inevitable, or if they're just sick of not living life to the fullest, Mr Fielding said people are back in numbers.

"Traffic is building again into the hospitality businesses, personally having Williamsburg and The Press we've noticed that," he said.

"And then of course there's the success of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, I've spoken to many venue owners and it was huge, it was probably not anticipated to be as good as it was.

"Confidence is back in the community, and confidence is back for hospitality and I think COVID is becoming a bit of an afterthought for a lot of people."

Tamworth Business Chamber president Stephanie Cameron said the increase in trade has not been restricted to food and drink venues either.

She said the surge in customers and people out and about has been noticeable, but did note there was still a portion of the population playing it safe.

"I think a majority of people are over it and past it, having said that I think there's quite a number of people who have now had COVID and are not as cautious as they were before they got it," she said.

"I think there's still a number of people out there that haven't had COVID that are more cautious still, so I still think there's a little way to go."

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She said the turnaround from January had been about on par with what she and many other business owners were expecting.

There's also less stress regarding staff. Ms Cameron put that down to the fact many workers have already had the virus and it's still relatively uncommon for people to get it twice.

There has also been a number of big events in the city, including the country music festival and last weekend, Mayworth.

Organiser Chris Watson said the competition attracted roughly 500 line dancers, many of whom had travelled in for it.

"It was our largest competition we've had in the 20 year history of Mayworth which is fantastic, and it was great to see so many youths," he said.

"There was so many people in the 12 and under, the 10 and under and the 18 and under sections, so it was so great to see that new generation of dancers coming through."

He said the move to the town hall was a success too, with competitors exploring what the city had to offer during and after the event.

Mr Watson's main business, Chris Watson Travel, is located on Peel Street and he said it's been obvious to him that foot traffic is on the up, and people's attitudes have changed.

"It's a great move for us to the town hall because of the location and being so central where people can get out and about and support and see the local businesses," he said

"I think we're moving into a post-COVID mindset and we're seeing more consumer confidence, people are more confident to go out and go to events and support events, people are looking to book holidays and going away for weekends.

"I think we're starting to see that consumer confidence and that post-COVID world, where we're just having to live with it."

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