Council has launched a series of Love Local online guides available at the Visit Central Coast website.

Council’s Director Connected Communities Julie Vaughan said the guides were part of Council’s initiatives to actively support Central Coast businesses through this difficult time.

“The Love Local guides highlight the creativity of Central Coast businesses to adapt to this changed retail and service industry environment due to the impacts of Coronavirus. The guides help our residents see how they can buy local and support their local business to help keep them and our local economy going – now and into recovery,” said Ms Vaughan.

The five Love Local guides available at visitcentralcoast.com.au are:

• Shopping - Our boutiques and bespoke retailers, delivering to your door
• Food and Drink – Our producers delivering to your door
• Food and Drink – Restaurants and cafes delivering to your door
• Taking it online – Virtual workshops and e-classes for kids
• Taking it online – Workshops and e-classes for adults.

“More guides will be released over the next few weeks,” added Ms Vaughan.

Central Coast Council Mayor Lisa Matthews said Council was dedicating resources to help local businesses withstand the effects of the pandemic and keep them connected with the community.

“We understand the stress and significant impact that the COVID-19 situation is placing on our local community and businesses, and the growing financial and operational concerns as measures to reduce the spread of the virus are put in place,” said Mayor Matthews.

“Our business community that is connected to, and particularly reliant on the coast’s tourism industry is diverse. It includes cafes, restaurants, specialist retail shops, galleries and a whole range of visitor experiences and vibrant events.

“All these local businesses are hurting and have been impacted by the government guidelines about non-essential travel. This school holiday week would usually be one of the busiest tourism seasons of the year. Instead, we are all heartbreakingly telling visitors to stay away.

“We must all follow these guidelines about non-essential travel to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus and ensure our community is kept safe.

“Locally, we can all do our bit to help our local businesses survive without visitors. I encourage everyone to look local and buy local where you can. Our Love Local guides can help you find businesses that have shifted their services and sales online, or are safely providing their goods now either by takeaway or home delivery.”
View the Love Local guides at visitcentralcoast.com.au

To keep updated on how you can buy and support local follow Love Central Coast NSW on Facebook/Instagram, and share the local love with #LoveCentralCoast

For more information on community and business support visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/council/council-news/covid-19-information/community-and-business-support