On opposite sides of St George’s Terrace, two cafes tell the story of how Perth’s CBD is recovering from COVID-19.
Key points:
- The removal of mask mandates brought workers back to the CBD
- But flexible work policies mean fewer are in the office than before
- It means the CBD will need to keep evolving to meet changing demand
Many businesses that relied on office workers’ dollars were pushed to the brink over the first half of the year, with mask mandates keeping many at home.
“You could almost play footy down the Terrace,” was barista Anthony Arnold’s assessment.
From behind the coffee machine at the base of a 12-storey office building, he has had a front-row seat to the effects of staff working from home.
“We’re still probably about 50 per cent to a third away from where it was beforehand, but definitely noticing a difference week-to-week,” he said.
It is a difference also being driven by shrinking WA case numbers, with the number of new infections on Monday falling to its lowest level in nearly three months.
Just 4,849 new cases were reported, the lowest figure since March 14, with one COVID-related death and 279 people in hospital with the virus.
Unique dishes help weather COVID storm
Across the road from Mr Arnold sits a very different cafe, offering cheesecakes that look like actual slices of cheese and coffee served in an avocado.
Co-owner Nancy Seng said her focus was…
