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How to support local hospitality right now

The latest wave of Covid-19 has been a challenge for our community.

Many hospitality businesses are struggling with staff shortages, supply issues and a drop in consumer confidence.

If you want to show your support, here are 6 ways you can show you care.

Use your Dine & Discover vouchers

This summer, NSW residents were granted 2 extra Dine & Discover vouchers.

If you've not used any, you'll now have a total of 6 waiting for you in the Service NSW app.

You have until Thursday 30 June 2022 to use them. One is for use at a restaurant, cafe, bar or pub. There’s also a voucher for entertainment and recreation. You can take it to a cultural institution, or see live music, theatre or performing arts.

Dine alfresco

The city is full of places for rooftop drinks, lunchtime picnics and dinner outside with friends.

Plus, thanks to the easing of restrictions on outdoor dining licences, there are lots more restaurants with alfresco spaces for you to explore across our city.

You might want to check out our Summer Streets program. Village high streets are transforming into spaces for walking, shopping and dining for 1 day only.

Outdoor dining at Albion Place Hotel. Photo: Adam Hollingworth / City of Sydney

Leave a positive review

If you have positive feedback – leave the business a glowing online review! Google reviews can really help a business find customers.

On the other hand, if you have negative feedback, consider contacting the business directly first for a chat and give them a chance to respond privately. Don't just go straight to social media or Google.

Be patient and kind

Things might not run as smoothly as normal for businesses and their customers. It doesn’t hurt to be accommodating. You might have seen the signs: 'Everyone is short-staffed, be kind to those that showed up.'

Order takeaway – directly from the venue

Food delivery services aren’t quite the boon for restaurants they might be for you. Online delivery platforms take a cut of up to 30% from a restaurant’s order.

Before you order, check if your venue lets you order on its website or by phone. You might be lucky – some provide discounts if you order and pick it up yourself.

Maybe you could make the most of daylight saving and take your meal to dine out in one of our beautiful parks? Don’t forget your reusable cutlery!

Buy vouchers or gifts

Whether it’s a gift for yourself or a friend – buying vouchers or venue merchandise helps. Perhaps you could get some of a local restaurant’s homemade chutney? Or maybe they they’re selling a spice mix. It all helps.