EASING COVID restrictions will give retailers some relief as Christmas approaches, according to the advocacy and advisory organisation Business NSW.
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Closer to home, the Bathurst Business Chamber wants to take a wishlist to Bathurst Regional Council that will help local businesses thrive.
"We've affirmed our agenda for next year and particularly in the current climate it needs to be focused on advocacy for Bathurst businesses," Bathurst Business Chamber president Catherine Fitzsimons said.
"We're calling on all businesses to talk to us between now and the end of the year about their issues and where they need help.
"We want to put together a shortlist of reform items or changes that we can take to council for what needs improving so that Bathurst businesses can flourish."
The NSW Government introduced a new one person per two square metre rule on Monday, with some conditions, as part of eased COVID restrictions.
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Business NSW's western NSW regional manager Vicki Seccombe said it was great for retailers to be given a chance to capitalise on December spending.
"With Christmas shopping in full swing and no community transmissions in NSW for some time, we need to give retailers a break in the lead-up to Christmas," she said.
"It goes without saying what a difficult year it has been, and here is an opportunity to provide them with some relief, so long as they operate in a COVID-safe way."
She said shopping centres are beginning to become packed again with just two weekends left before Christmas, "so any help the NSW Government can give retailers must be done as a matter of urgency".
Orange Business Chamber president Jack Evans said hospitality and entertainment were likely to benefit most from eased restrictions.
"It will also provide a flow-on effect to providers such as catering, clothing and equipment hire, boosting the economy overall," he said.
"I don't think we will see massive changes in the few weeks before Christmas, but certainly from New Year's on, business will definitely improve."
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce president Matt Wright said hospitality and events will benefit from the added flexibility and patronage, as will smaller sectors that work with those industries.
