When the Metung Hotel was forced to close its doors due to the COVID-19 restrictions last month, publican, David Strange, wondered how to support his 17 full-time staff members.

He was determined to keep them working using their alternative skill sets.

Mr Strange soon discovered that the cleaner was a builder and a painter in a previous life and that the chef was capable in skills other than cooking.

His proposal to renovate the pub using his existing staff as the labour force was greeted with infectious enthusiasm.

Mr Strange says the cleaner has been doing fantastic work in maintenance with all the other staff pitching in to help.

“I’m giving as much work as I can to our 17 permanents,” he said.

Taking advantage of the lockdown, Mr Strange has overseen the replacement of all new windows in the kitchen, which he said would have been impossible to do while operating.

The bathrooms have had a fresh lick of paint, the kitchen is being overhauled, menus are being redesigned, and the landscaping of the front garden is underway.

The old galvanized steel pipe railings have been replaced with gleaming, brand new stainless steel rails.

Mr Strange said the balcony rails had been in situ since 1947.

With the former garden now ripped out, the views from the balcony deck are enhanced with an uninterrupted water vista and staff in charge of replanting the beds are paying particular attention to the selection of plants so as not to impede the outlook.

Local qualified tradesmen are being used only where required, such as using plumbers to install a new cool room for food and a triple interceptor for waste.

New water lines have been installed into the hotel under the car park after the water mains line had a fatal burst on the day the pub was ordered closed.

Mr Strange can’t believe the timing, explaining had the rupture occurred on a trading day, it would have been catastrophic.

“A lot of this work can’t be done under normal trading circumstances, so it’s been opportune to take advantage of this lockdown to do a mixture of things to improve the pub,” he said. Mr Strange said his primary aim had been to find work for his staff “to keep them engaged in the business and keep them sane”.

“It’s all about giving people income and work, people need to keep working so we’re doing what the Prime Minister requested,” he said.

Mr Strange said he is committed to re-open-ing the Metung Hotel as soon as allowed.

YACHT CLUB

Metung Yacht Club is also taking advantage of the forced closure to undergo renovations.

The bar is being upgraded with the benches being replaced with stainless steel and new beer taps to accommodate a greater variety of beers.

A goods lift has been installed to allow for the easy transfer of heavy goods, such as cartons of wines, rather than lugging heavy boxes up and down stairs.

Commodore Peter Harvey says once the builders have finished their work and the renovations are complete, the carpets will be steam cleaned “and we’ll be ready to go”.

He says COVID-19 has meant committee meetings are now being conducted by zoom.

“Everyone is getting on board with that, so that’s terrific. It’s a whole new world,” Commodore Harvey said.

The Metung Yacht Club’s system enables 100 people to Zoom in if need be.

Commodore Harvey is hopeful that restrictions will be eased soon to allow 50 people in the club (4sqm).

“That would be a wonderful start and at least allow us to get some cash running through,” he said.

The club was forced to cancel its lucrative Easter regatta in which it plays host to the Sandringham Yacht Club.

A second regatta scheduled next month, which was to have helped the bushfire recovery effort also had to be cancelled.

While the club usually goes into a lull throughout winter, Commodore Harvey remains optimistic that come October, the Commodore’s Cup will resurrect the club.

“Hopefully, we won’t still be locked down then,” Commodore Harvey said.

To keep the chef employed, the club is doing takeaway meals from Wednesday to Sunday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Comoodore Harvey said patronage for take-aways had been steadily improving.

The Metung Pub is selling takeaway alcohol weekdays from 9am-3pm.

IMAGE: The Metung Hotel is undergoing renovations during lockdown with staff usually employed in the kitchen and behind the bar doing the work to keep them busy. K284-5967