Among the many businesses that are doing it tough in Lakes Entrance at the moment, the hire boats along Marine Parade are feeling the affects.

With a heavy reliance on tourists, it is and will be, a struggle for their businesses.

“We are basically holding out for Australia Day weekend,” Darren Fearnley, from Portside Hire Boats, said.

“Our income is down 80 per cent.”

There are many expenses the hire boat businesses have to meet while bringing in minimal income.

“Rates, wharf fees, insurance, boat upkeep and maintenance to name a few,” Darren said.

Blue Riviera Hire Boats are also concerned about the future.

“It’s not the greatest, it’s a big struggle,” owner, Theresa Grech said.

“We have had some community support, which we are thankful for, we are hanging in there.”

Like Darren, Blue Riviera is hoping for an excellent long weekend.

“Our son runs his Lakes Charter Fishing out of here too, he has also been affected,” Theresa said.

“The whole town is struggling, all bookings completely cancelled, we feel for everyone.”

Nick Moore, manager at the Lakes Entrance RSL, said last weekend was pretty good.

“We had heaps in on Friday and Saturday night, which was great,” he said.

“The turnaround is going to take a very long time. Unfortunately, we have had a lot of cancellations for the Australia Day long weekend.”

Staff at Bulmers Gifts noted there were more people around this week. They are appreciative of the locals coming in and supporting their business.

Anna Wolfenbuttel, of Wildcatch Fish and Chips, was hoping this was going to be their year after winning the Best Fish and Chips Country Victoria People’s Choice Award.

They have been open for three years and said it takes a lot of financial investment to establish a business.

“We had just started to really slam it. Business had really taken off,” she said.

Then the bushfire evacuations came and everyone was gone.

“Every day we were going backwards, it is worse than the middle of winter school holidays.

“There were day trippers around last weekend, it was busy on Saturday night,” Anna said.

IMAGE: Charlie and Theresa Grech, from Blue Riviera Boat Hire, and Darren Fearnley, from Portside Hire Boats, are hoping this weekend brings a spark in the town’s economy, not just for their businesses.