The NSW hospitality industry is preparing to surge back to some sort of normality following the tight lockdown restrictions this year, although it is a half-hearted cheer as restrictions still carry a ball and chain with the Premier’s announcement.

Most in the hospitality industry are gearing towards opening with a 1 person per 4 sqm rule as we hit the 70% target and as we bridge the gap hitting 80% in a matter of weeks. Weddings however are at a standstill and will now not fully reopen until December 1.

“Of course we are elated upon hearing the news. As a multi-billion dollar industry we have been patiently sitting on the sidelines wanting to desperately open our businesses to celebrations for over 18 months now and confidence has been restored in our industry. Brides can finally start to plan and book their weddings for next year but this year still remains divided,” said Senior Managing Partner Giovannino Navarra

 “Of course we are excited with Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement however it is only a half-hearted cheer because this does not mean that weddings will reopen this year. In December we have Christmas functions and corporate as well as social events that are booked, but to a lesser extent as we are still coming out of lockdown. I do not see a lot of weddings on our list,” said Giovannino Navarra

“Having the 50 cap on weddings has brides crying hysterically as they have to move their dates to next year and that means re-booking to a date 6-7 months down the track. This is a $900 million dollar loss for the wedding industry. We want to celebrate with the rest of the ‘Hospitality Industry’ instead of being kept in our own bubble,” he said.

Weddings being able to resume has a ripple on effect to so many suppliers that when you sit down and map out who is connected, the number of industries that work together is mind-blowing. The wedding industry supports our Australian farmers when it comes to selecting food and industries including alcohol and beverages, florists, car hire, music, fashion, hair and beauty all come together to make the wedding daydream come true. We cannot forget that it also employs a large number of people.

Pubs and restaurants are fully reopening on October 11 and will have a lot of different people from various households enjoying the venues, while weddings that can hold a group of family and friends in a safe contained environment following the same rules and guidelines as their counterparts are not able to use the 1 person per 4 sqm for larger weddings.

“We want the same freedoms now and we want our couples, their friends and family to be able to laugh and dance whole heartedly just like the rest of the hospitality industry.”

Entertaining over 47 years of events and hospitality experience and successfully hosting more than 175,000 events, Navarra is one of Australia’s leading events and hospitality operators.

Family operated and founded by Filippo and Sarina Navarra with the reigns handed to Salvatore, Giovannino and Marie Navarra, who offer weddings, formal, corporate and casual dining experiences, including cafes and bars across the wider Sydney area.