Arabic version: إغلاق متجر جزارة في نوسا بسبب نقص الموظفين
According to ABC News, Noosa butcher Steve Young will close his retail shopfront to walk-in customers in coming weeks because he has been unable to find enough qualified staff. His business, which began with a storefront in nearby Tewantin in 2005, still has a strong and loyal customer base.
Young said the shop was operating with two butchers when it would normally have four, along with about two counter staff. He said he had spent about $15,000 on advertising over the past 18 months, but applicants often did not respond to calls or texts, or did not attend interviews. Staff turnover had also been difficult.
The business supplies IGA supermarkets across Queensland and increasingly into New South Wales. A newly signed contract will put its smallgoods into another 22 stores. Young said he would focus on the wholesale business after ending counter service, and that no workers would lose their jobs.
The shortage has been official nationally since at least 2021. Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan described the lack of butchers as a “genuine and ongoing workforce challenge”, saying it makes it harder for shops to grow, train apprentices and meet customer demand. Other Queensland operators are seeking workers overseas: Maroochydore business owner Martin Pennay said visa workers had integrated well after his business struggled to find local applicants.
Young said closing the successful retail outlet was a massive decision for him and his wife Stacey, but the business could not be staffed adequately.
