Grand owners eye off motel for worker accommodation

THE Portarlington Grand Hotel’s owners are in negotiations to buy a nearby motel to attract and accommodate staff.

Chief executive officer Murray Rance said the decision to buy the Newcombe Street motel, which has 24 rooms, is being driven by a shortage of workers and housing in the region.

“What we’ve found since we’ve been there, and this is the same in all rural areas, is its very difficult to get staff,” he said.

“It’s no secret down on the Bellarine there’s a shortage of rooms for visitors, so to diversify a bit we looked at the Portarlington Beach Motel. We haven’t bought it yet, we’re still in negotiations to buy it, it’s in due diligence.

“It’s just one of those things that we have to do these days to be able to attract good people.”

Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine board member Connie Trathen said accommodation shortages were affecting businesses, “especially regionally, and it is forcing the industry to think laterally”.

“This may include sourcing accommodation, job sharing, finding retirees who may want to re-enter the workforce and a lot of upskilling and training,” Ms Trathen said.

The Grand’s owners recently completed a $10 million restoration of the Newcombe Street building from 1888 that includes a new front bar, bistro, lawn area and accommodation, but there has been a struggle to attract the staff needed to run the venue.

Venue manager Mark Henderson told this paper in July that he needed around 30 new staff members to cope with demand and extend opening hours from five to seven days a week.

Mr Rance said the venue would struggle to fully operate until it secures more help.

“Because we’ve opened up specialty areas in the hotel and for us to be able to open it up completely, chefs and cooks are the main ones, front of house.

“To be able to offer them accommodation is one of those things employers have to do these days.”