Berrima Bakehouse Motel's drop in business has been 'worse than last year'

The situation has been made even worse by the more recent NSW state-wide lockdown.

Berrima Bakehouse Motel manager Peter Fussell said he has not seen anything like it.

"It has been the worst I have ever seen it, worse than last year," he said.

"We have been down by about 95 per cent."

Mr Fussell said that the turnover dropped from accommodating 250 rooms a week, to 10 a week when the Sydney lockdown first took hold.

Read also: Meet Hamish Ta-mé: a busy bee who teaches people about bees in Bowral

He also mentioned that "wedding traffic" in the village made up a large portion of their customer-base.

"People have rebooked their weddings three or four times, I have felt sorry for them," he said.

"The lockdown has also had an impact on our weekend traffic."

He also said the uncertainty about when lockdown has exacerbated the situation.

Head house-cleaner Leanne Eagan said foot-traffic overall has dried up.

"We would normally have people passing through," she said.

"As soon as the first lockdown took place in Sydney, our accommodation dropped.

Read also: A wrap-up of good news in the Highlands over the past week | August 22

"The long weekend has normally been very busy but from memory, it was quiet this year.

"The school holidays have usually been flat out, whereas nobody was here during the last school holidays."

The loss in travellers has meant that hours have also been cut back for staff.

"I have normally worked overtime but there has been no overtime, I have had to do work to make up the hours," Mrs Eagan said.

Read also: Southern Highlands band Speed Dial consisting of musicians from Chevalier College release album

While Mrs Eagan has worked, her everyday routine has drastically changed to accommodate for the quietness.

"I have had work, but I've done other things such as cleaning each room, weeding, cleaning the laundry and kitchen," she said.

"There has been little to no work since it has started."

Mr Fussell said that reception staff were the only employees in the motel.

It was announced on the motel's Facebook page that the 19-room premises has been opened only for authorised travellers.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking news and regular newsletters