Throughout April, South Yarra’s Cosi Bar Ristorante and Cucinetta, along with Vaporetto Bar and Eatery in Hawthorn, are running an initiative called “Fuel on Us”. Customers can bring in a receipt for a taxi, rideshare or fuel purchase and have up to 50 per cent of that amount taken off their restaurant bill, capped at $25 per visit.
Omar Del Eek, one of the owners, said the move is about backing customers during a tough period for both households and hospitality. “Obviously in this economic climate we’re all suffering, customers and businesses as well,” he said. “So it’s just a way to think outside the box, being creative and also trying to help. “It’s too easy to just increase pricing but then if nobody is willing to pay for it and doesn’t have the resources to do it, you know, you’re not winning. “The solution is to increase prices, but that’s not a solution for businesses.”
Del Eek said higher interest rates have also been felt almost immediately in customer numbers. “After the last two interest rate hikes, you feel something has changed very quickly,” he said. “People are stressed and nervous as well. Last week we noticed the difference. You know, as soon as they announced the interest rate hike we had a quiet night.”
The idea of easing the sting is also spreading beyond the city. In regional Victoria, the Tallarook Hotel has added a weekly fuel giveaway, raffling off a 20-litre jerry can of diesel every Friday night. Anyone who buys something between 4pm and 7pm receives an entry into the draw.
Pub owner James Carlin said the giveaway is a way to support locals and bring some lightness to a difficult moment. “The world at the moment is crazy. A little bit of kindness, a little bit of fun goes a long way,” he said.
