Halifax chamber calls for more in-office work days to help with downtown pandemic recovery – Halifax | 24CA News
The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is looking for a hybrid work mannequin requiring municipal employees to be in workplace three to 4 days per week to “help stimulate the downtown area” because it recovers from three years of COVID-19.
“Halifax Regional Municipality is one of the biggest employers in the city with roughly 3,600-5,000 employees, and their current flexible work guidelines require staff to be in the office a minimum of two days a week,” the chamber mentioned in its municipal pre-budget submission for the 2023-24 yr.
The chamber mentioned having a three-to-four-day versatile hybrid work coverage “would be an easy and affordable policy that could further help our downtown recovery.”
Patrick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, estimated this transformation would result in $2 to $4 million in elevated spending downtown.
“Downtowns are the core of our economy, particularly Halifax’s economy,” he mentioned.
“We’d like (workers) to come downtown three to four days a week, frankly, to spend more money. To spend more money on restaurants, and in shops. Anything to stimulate that downtown economy.”
Sullivan mentioned whereas COVID-19 modified the best way individuals work, “it’s time for people to get back to the office.”
Mary Ellen Planetta, proprietor of Elle’s Bistro on Barrington Street, instructed Global News she’s “very excited” in regards to the advice.
“(Since COVID-19,) lunch has really gone downhill, especially in the winter when the tourists aren’t around anymore,” she mentioned.
“Having people back in the office, at least on a semi-regular basis, would definitely help things.”
Mary Ellen Planetta says she helps the chamber’s advice to extend in-office days for municipal employees.
Megan King/Global News
Prior to the pandemic, Planetta mentioned Elle’s Bistro was usually busy throughout lunch, for each in-person eating and takeout.
Last winter, she mentioned the business “barely survived” resulting from an absence of workplace employees and vacationers.
“It was just enough to keep the lights on,” she mentioned.
Since then, business has began “trickling back,” she mentioned, however Planetta estimates lunchtime clients are nonetheless down by about 50 per cent from pre-COVID-19 ranges.
“We wish the people would come back to the offices,” she mentioned. “We need people in the offices, we need people walking the streets, filling these roles.”
Geoffroy Chevallier of Le French Fixe Patisserie additionally mentioned his business depends on downtown employees taking their lunch breaks.
He mentioned he would assist a hybrid work mannequin for municipal workers that will see workplace employees returning for 3 or 4 days per week.
“That will definitely make a better daily downtown,” he mentioned. “I think that’s a good idea.”
A spokesperson for Halifax Regional Municipality couldn’t be reached for remark Monday.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
