Tyson and Alison Murphy, from the Central Hotel, have kept their business operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

However, after a very disappointing summer with the bushfires and now leading into financially difficult times for everyone, they worry for their business and the town as a whole.

“Will we get through this?” Allison asked. They confess staying open has been tough. “The business is going backwards every week,” Alison Murphy said.

“The Jobkeeper incentive has helped, without it we would have had to close, now we can keep staff working and in a job.”

The Central has been not only been busy with meal preparation, but completing numerous jobs around the hotel and motel.

“We have been painting, cleaning and sprucing the old girl up for when we can reopen. The staff have been great,” Alison said.

The bottleshop has remained open and they have been providing take away dinners, which are available to pick up at the drive through window between 5 and 8pm.

“The locals have been really supportive and we appreciate every meal or slab of beer purchased from our small business,” Allison said.

“We have noticed more people making the effort to buy local beer and wine, with sales increasing in this area, which is great.

“Now more than ever we need to remind people to buy local and support family-owned businesses.

“We are looking forward to reopening and seeing all our customers again, that’s for sure.” Alison.

An initiative that Carlton United Breweries has started is a campaign called ‘Love Your Local’ to support hotels around Australia.

“If you would like to help us out now go to the Love Your Local website where you can buy a pint and CUB will match it when we re-open with another free pint. Go to the site and buy a pint at the Central,” Alison said.

Miriams Restaurant proprietor, Sam Mahlook, is also keeping her business going with home deliveries and takeaway meals.

Like many other businesses, if it wasn’t for the Jobkeeper payment she would have to close.

This crisis has made her do things differently and change with the situation.

“Doing takeaway will definitely be something we will keep doing once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted,” Sam said.

“It is a real struggle and I want to thank those supporting us.”

IMAGE: David Carter and chef, Dylan Stares, ready to serve at the Central Hotel on Saturday night.