The severe impact of the COVID pandemic on tourist operators in Nelson Bay has been well documented, but what's not so well known is how the restrictions and lockdowns have affected small businesses to the west of Port Stephens.
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Two businesses struggling to keep their doors open following months of closures and uncertainty are Scotty's Cinema in Raymond Terrace and the Sir Francis Drake Motel on the Pacific Highway in Heatherbrae.
Cinema owner Scott Seddon, who is also president of the Independent Cinemas Australia, has made a passionate plea to Port cinema-goers for a show of support between now and the end of the year.
"Are we in danger of closing, well that's the big question. Let's say we are appealing to the Port community to show a little faith in our small business," Mr Seddon said.
"Since taking over the cinema [in 2007], we have never said no to supporting a charity, sporting or community organisation ... we are hoping people can reciprocate that by supporting us in our hour of need."
Mr Sedden said that in addition to getting bums on seats, another way groups or clubs could support the cinema was by purchasing bulk cinema passes and distributing them to team players or members.
A qualified technician with a lifelong passion for film and radio, Mr Seddon said that the pandemic had been devastating for cinemas everywhere, but hoped patrons would come back with the relaxing of restrictions.
"We were forced to shut our doors from March 23 to July 3 and since returning we have reduced our capacity by approximately half as part of safety precautions."
Since reopening the cinema has been running at less than 20 per cent on last year's March figures, which cannot be sustained.
Mr Seddon said that JobKeeper had helped with staffing but not the business's ongoing costs, such as huge power bills. "Our power usage is the same if we are showing a movie for two people or 200 people," he said.
He said that the four-month closure of Scotty's enabled staff to undertake a deep clean of the five cinemas and food court area and the opportunity to introduce COVID-safe protocols.
"It's great that we now have many of the big name movies coming back, we just need the patrons to come back."
Since taking over the business, Mr Sedden has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the business with new decor and by introducing a range of innovative technical advances including 3D, digital conversion and running live theatre and special alternative films including the New York Metropolitan Opera.
Also struggling to stay afloat is the nearby Sir Francis Drake Motel, which has seen a 75-80 per cent downturn in business. Manager William Wang said that the operation was searching for answers.
"A lot of our business is passing tourists travelling up and down the east coast, but the border closures has stopped much of that trade," he said.
"We have had to cut back staff from around 14 to a handful and we have temporarily closed the kitchen. JobKeeper has helped but what we really need is the support of locals by referring [our motel to] travelling family and friends.
"We have all the COVID protocols in place, the housekeepers have gone above and beyond with their cleansing and we have plenty of sanitiser available for guests."
