Local businesses encourage Why Leave Town initiative following pandemic

But as we head into the festive season, Lithgow Chamber of Commerce president Peter Pilbeam believes things are starting to look up.

"I think things are picking up considering things were quite bad during COVID," he said.

"Everyone took a shock, economically, emotionally, business wise.. I mean some businesses were closed down and it's going to take a while to get back to any sort of semblance of normal," he said.

Despite the challenges Mr Pilbeam said things were kicking on in Lithgow.

"Real estate is going fantastic, with more people coming into the area and a lot of people coming in from Sydney," he said.

On that note he said COVID-19 had shown more people were discovering Australia because they couldn't go overseas.

"There's a lot more people coming out into the Central West, discovering NSW out of Sydney.

"Now's the time with more people coming out here to showcase your business," Mr Pilbeam said.

Mr Pilbeam said the Chamber of Commerce were pushing the Why Leave Town shop local initiative.

"We've had funding for local gift cards with the state and federal government grants.

"We've got about 30 odd businesses signed up to accept the cards within the local government area," he said.

There are currently four 'load up' stores where people can purchase the cards in Lithgow and one in Portland, Mr Pilbeam said.

"In Lithgow you can buy cards from Erin's Quality Outdoor Power Centre, Euphoric Utopia Cleaning, Intimate Dreams and Lithgow Technology Services.

"Portland Newsagency is also a load up store," he said.

Mr Pilbeam encouraged more businesses to take part in the Why Leave Town initiative.

"We want to encourage local stores, Why Leave Town is ideal because it keeps the money in town," he said.

He said the shop local gift cards were also a good Christmas gift idea.

"For example businesses intend to purchase the cards as gifts for their employees for Christmas," he said.

Belle Rose Emporium owner Kerrie Milton is coming up to her second Christmas located on Lithgow's Main Street with her stylish boutique.

Kerrie said during COVID business was slow, but it had started to pick up with easing restrictions heading into Christmas.

"We're getting a little bit more busier, I think that's because people are actually starting to think about Christmas," she said.

"People are excited for Christmas this year because last year, we had the fires."

"With COVID, I think people have been feeling so down so it's nice to have something to look forward to," Kerrie said.

Kerri said it was important to shop local and support your local people.

"[Shopping local] keeps us open because if you don't then businesses shut down, and once your little businesses are closed then your main streets become empty and your town becomes less visitable," she said.

Kerrie unfortunately couldn't take part in the Why Leave Town initiative due to having a SQUARE instead of an eftpos machine.

"When it first rolled out, I couldn't be part of it because I have the SQUARE and they said they [the cards] may not be compatible, which I thought was a bit wrong," she said.

She said her current system takes post office gift cards and she hoped the program could come up with compatible cards.

"Maybe they should bring in a mock card and we could try it because if my system takes the local gift cards I would definitely be on board," Kerrie said.

"The cards keep the money in town, it keeps the money here. People can buy the card and they can spend it here, they have to spend it here, they don't go out of town."

Kerrie encouraged people to drop in and shop local this Christmas.

"I have some sales on in store and we stock a range of clothes, pyjamas, candles, shoes, giftware and jewellery. Plus if you spent $100 you receive a free gift," she said.

She also wanted to thank those who have supported her through COVID.

"It means a lot, like I really appreciate it because it's been tough," she said.

For more information and a full list of participating stores you can visit the Why Leave Town website.

You can also contact Peter Pilbeam on 0414 658 285 to get involved.