An additional two months of rent leniency for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 could help keep stores stay afloat during another difficult period.
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NSW Treasurer Matt Keane said it would provide a needed buffer for small businesses that have been hit hard.
"Small business is the engine room of our economy and we need to make sure we support impacted businesses through this latest Omicron wave," Mr Kean said.
"With staff shortages and reduced foot traffic, many businesses are struggling at the moment but the ability to negotiate rent will give them a buffer so they can keep the lights on now and recover more quickly."
Commercial and retail tenants are eligible for the rent relief if they have an annual turnover of less than $5 million, as well as continuing to meet the eligibility criteria for the now-cancelled JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant.
Loretta Cullen at La Petite Hair and Beauty said that it was good to be back after a few difficult months.
"We closed twice for a month, so when you return, it can be very stressful. There's a backlog that you have to get through," she explained.
"Our clients have been very understanding with it though."
Mary Ann Signor from Plaza Hair Salon agreed that they had been relatively lucky. She explained that they were grateful for the leniency offered to them in their rental agreement during difficult months to help make ends meet.
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"Our landlord was really helpful during lockdown. Our agent was as well. With the month closure before, the government gave us a bit of assistance because even though you're not here, bills have to be paid."
With other restrictions and guidelines, she said there wasn't a huge difference to them in terms of cleaning. She added that customers had all been understanding and had been following the rules, but that it was a matter of trust that everyone was doing the right thing.
"I've been here 15 or 16 years, so we have regular people coming in now. That's been really good but even coming back, you want to accept everyone but I've only got two hands."
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