Fostering collaboration and resilience in the hospitality sector

Council continues to respond to the challenges and insights from the local hospitality industry to foster collaboration and bolster resilience.

Council invited local businesses across the hospitality industry to share firsthand insights into the challenges they are facing in the current operating environment. The Penrith Hospitality Industry Forum held on 7 May 2024, received strong support from the industry bringing together more than 40 local hospitality and dining operators, as well as representatives from the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Penrith CBD Corporation and St Marys Town Centre Corporation.

Council also ran a survey prior to the forum which confirmed rising business costs and cost of living as the biggest factors impacting on current business conditions. Penrith businesses are responding to these market conditions in a variety of ways from increasing marketing, reducing business spending or staff hours to updating their menu and changing operating hours to meet customer preferences.

Many of the core issues are impacting businesses everywhere – increasing cost of living, rises in rent and mortgage repayments, rising cost of utilities, changing consumer behaviours, difficulty in funding and retaining staff. However, there are opportunities for Council, business organisations and local businesses to work together to attract more customers, and alleviate some of the pressures on our local cafes, bars and restaurants.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by businesses, Penrith Mayor, Councillor Todd Carney highlighted Council's recent initiative to support the hospitality sector amidst cost-of-living and economic pressures.

"In recognising the hardships faced by our local hospitality sector, Penrith City Council has already taken action to alleviate financial strain. At Council's Ordinary Meeting on April 29, Councillors unanimously passed a resolution to reduce outdoor dining fees by 75% until June 30, 2025."

Cr Carney emphasised the importance of Council's role in ensuring tangible support of local businesses.

"Reducing outdoor dining fees will ease some financial burden on businesses to assist with their continued operation”.

To make the experience of customers coming to the Penrith City Centre more seamless, Council has created helpful resources so they can find suitable parking options. Customers can review the Penrith City Centre parking map on Council’s website, or download the ParkPenrith Parking app which provides real time information on parking availability.

Council will continue to find ways to support local hospitality businesses, including through cooperative marketing campaigns and promotion on visitpenrith.com.au, the city’s primary digital tourism platform.