Three Melbourne restaurants will pay for a portion of their customers’ transport cost in an attempt to take the edge off soaring fuel prices.
During the month of April, Cosi Bar Ristorante and Cucinetta, both in South Yarra, as well as Vaporetto Bar & Eatery in Hawthorn, will be taking part an initiative called “Fuel on Us”.
Customers who visit any of these Italian restaurants can present a receipt for either a taxi, rideshare or fuel and receive up to 50 per cent of that amount deducted from their bill.
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The reimbursement is capped at $25 per visit.
Omar Del Eek, one of the owners of the restaurants, told 7NEWS.com.au it was the least he could do to help customers given tough cost-of-living conditions.
“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.”
Since interest rates have also gone up, Del Eek said he has noticed a change in the number of customers coming to his restaurants.
“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.”
Other hospitality businesses have also jumped in to help customers during the current fuel crisis, including a pub in regional Victoria which is now giving away a 20L jerry can of fuel in a weekly raffle.
The Tallarook Hotel is handing out the diesel every Friday night, with anyone who purchases something between 4pm and 7pm given an entry into the draw.
Pub owner James Carlin told 7NEWS.com.au he wanted to give back to his community and put a fun spin on a bad situation.
“The world at the moment is crazy. A little bit of kindness, a little bit of fun goes a long way,” he said.
