The unanimous decision to reallocate the funding from the New Year's Eve sky show to the Wauchope Show Society was made at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting on Wednesday, December 12.

The Beach House is situated at the prime location on the waterfront and is normally crowded on New Year's Eve, due to its proximity to the fireworks at Town Green.

However, this year manager Shanlee Carter said they are expecting to lose business, as the fireworks normally draw thousands of people and attract young families.

Instead Ms Carter said The Beach House is putting on its own entertainment and will have extended trading hours in an attempt to get people through the doors.

Baskin Robbins Port Macquarie franchise owner Beau Farrell said he's been left feeling "livid" after the fireworks were cancelled.

He said New Year's Day is the store's biggest day of the year. What the store makes on New Year's Eve equates to what it would normally make in a week.

Mr Farrell said the future of small businesses in Port Macquarie is in danger.

The fires and drought, Mr Farrell said has meant there are reduced numbers of visitors in town. He said the cancellation of the fireworks has caused further financial strain to businesses which have already had a tough year.

"We're a tourist town and we do need these times in order to stay open," he said.

Mr Farrell estimates he would've lost about $2000 when the fireworks at the Countdown to Christmas street parade and tree lighting were cancelled, due to the ongoing bushfire crisis.

"Normally we would make that in the two hours people are hanging around waiting for the fireworks to start," he said.

"After the lighting of the tree there's no reason for people to stay."

Mr Farrell said he's had no contact with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council or Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce. He found out about the fireworks cancellation through the Port Macquarie News.

Mr Farrell said there should have been some kind of compromise with allowing the celebration to happen, while also promoting donations for the cause.

"Does it have to be one or the other?"

Marc Strachan, general manager at Chop 'n Chill, said they understand why Port Macquarie-Hastings Council made the decision to cancel the fireworks, given the ongoing bushfire crisis for the Mid North Coast region.

Chop 'n Chill will be trading as normal on New Year's Eve and invite visitors and members of the community to come together, celebrate and see in 2020 under the starry night's sky.

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