Kim Smythe with the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce says more than 30 per cent of shops say they likely won't recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

closed doors

‘The loss is incalculable:’ Nanaimo business plummets with Night Market fate in limbo

Apr 23, 2020 | 7:11 AM

NANAIMO – Downtown Nanaimo streets won’t be packed with thousands of shoppers and hundreds of businesses this year.

The third annual Night Market, presented by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, isn’t going ahead for 11 weeks during the summer due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Chamber president and CEO Kim Smythe told NanaimoNewsNOW losing the event is a major loss for downtown businesses and efforts to rejuvenate the area.

“Tourism and hospitality operators are likely to write off their entire year and many will cease business operations altogether,” Smythe said.

Roughly 1/3 of Night Market visitors were from out of town and many businesses came from all over Vancouver Island to set up a booth, according to surveys of attendees and operators.

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The market normally ended in August. Smythe said he and organizers are now parsing language from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry about when physical distancing restrictions will be lifted.

“If we can have gatherings of 50 or more in September, we’ll absolutely be out there having the Night Market for at least one week.”

Smythe said even if the Night Market goes ahead in an abbreviated or altered form, Nanaimo businesses will have suffered a devastating blow.

“The loss is incalculable at this time,” he said.

Data from the Chamber showed eight per cent of businesses have already closed up shop completely. Roughly 30 per cent are facing uncertain times and it’s unknown if they’ll be able to open once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Smythe told Nanaimo councillors during their meeting on Monday, April 20, the tourism, hospitality and transportation sectors faced the most damage.

With an entire summer essentially written off, income from hotel rooms and tourism can’t be recouped when businesses resume operation.

He did highlight some businesses, such as gardens, automotive shops and accounting, as ones which were able to adapt to an ever-changing landscape.

The presentation to Nanaimo councillors was also an opportunity to ask for help.

Smythe told councillors the Chamber and many local businesses who partook in a recent round table discussion recommended urging the City to advocate on their behalf to senior levels of government for tangible and serious support.

“Announcements come out before programs are really defined. They’re great to hear but three days later you find out it’s not really what you thought it was going to be and it’s not going to save your business.”

The recommendation from Smythe and the Chamber was warmly received by Nanaimo councillors, though it didn’t come with any tangible obligations.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit