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Australia's labour shortage crisis has forced the closure of a small general store in WA's Great Southern region, prompting fears for the future of the tiny town.
Key points:
- Cranbrook Supermarket and Newsagency is closing because its owner can't find staff
- Owner Parminder Singh says he fears what the closure will mean for the town
- Locals will have to travel 30 minutes to Mount Barker for supplies
The Cranbrook Supermarket and Newsagency, an hour north of Albany, services the town of just under 500 people and also provides food and beverage services in an adjoining cafe.
But it will open its doors for the last time on Friday.
The business and property is owned by Parminder Singh who lives in Mandurah, south of Perth.
He said initially, three staff were employed at the Cranbrook store but two had taken jobs outside of the town and replacements had not been found.
"I've not had anyone from town come forward for work," Mr Singh said.
Mr Singh understands his situation is widespread, with many businesses stretched due to a labour shortage brought on by COVID border closures.
"All the hospitality industry, they [need] immigrants, they [need] university students," he said.
Fears for town's prosperity
Mr Singh followed a friend from India to Australia in 2009 and initially worked in the mines as a mechanical engineer.
He began buying stores in regional WA in 2016, motivated by a love for the state's regional areas.
"The best people live in country towns," Mr Singh said.
"They give immigrants a warm welcome with an open heart."
Mr Singh owns general stores and restaurants across the Great Southern region in Nyabing, Tambellup, Kojonup and Boddington.
He bought the Cranbrook store in April 2020 and the closure meant locals would have to travel 30 minutes south to Mount Barker for supplies.
He feared what the closure would mean for Cranbrook locals.
However Cranbrook Post Office owner Peter Denton was more optimistic.
"I don't like to hear that word [death]," he said.
"If we lose the supermarket, there's an opportunity there, new people are moving into town all the time."
Mr Denton said locals depended on the store's service and hoped a new buyer would come forward.
"We rely on stores like this where you can get your milk and bread," he said.
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