Retail outlets and hospitality venues have felt the pinch recently, first with the pandemic and then the Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF) cancellation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Tamworth retail outlets have said fresh statistics don't really reflect what they've seen on Peel Street.
The data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows a 9.4 per cent increase in retail sales in 2020 across the state, compared to 2019.
But hospitality venues say they saw a two per cent decrease. Something which Business NSW regional manager Joe Townsend attributed to the restrictions imposed prior to Christmas.
But there is some hope on the horizon. The statistics come ahead of the release of the Dine and Discover scheme, which is set to be introduced in March, giving some hope of an economic boost.
Kristy Sollars, owner and operator of the Inland Cafe, said she got no "oomph" out of the Christmas period, a blow followed swiftly with the gut punch of the TCMF live music cancellation.
But this time, those coming in couldn't because of the border changes, and I wasn't too worried about the music festival but when they cancelled all the live music a few days before, we were down a fair bit.
- Kristy Sollars
"Normally, people that live in town head out for Christmas and we get a new influx of people coming in and visiting," she said.
"But this time, those coming in couldn't because of the border changes, and I wasn't too worried about the music festival but when they cancelled all the live music a few days before, we were down a fair bit with the locals too.
"It normally pays our rent for the year, gives us extra oomph. Unfortunately, we haven't got that this year."
She is has just applied to take part in the Dine and Discover program, and is "really hopeful" that it will help.
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers, worth $100 in total, which can be used at participating NSW businesses who are registered as COVID safe.
Meg Attwell, stylist for The Other Shop, said while it was a 'better than nothing' Christmas, it wasn't up to par with other years.
"We definitely had to adapt a lot in the last year, especially because there's been no events on," Ms Attwell said.
"Especially decisions around what brands we stock, and price points. It hasn't been terrible, but it hasn't gone as well as what we would've liked."
READ ALSO
Business NSW regional manager Joe Townsend noted the peak in November with Black Friday sales sweeping the region.
"Retail hit a peak in November 2020, largely due to a number of online sales like Black Friday and Australian's getting their Christmas shopping done early," he explained.
"Pleasingly, cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services continued their growth into December, with the community getting behind their local businesses."
Ms Sollars said without her loyal customer base her "doors wouldn't still be open."
