The Port Macquarie business successfully adapted from film processing to the digital world but the pandemic uncertainty has hit hard.

"The big difference is uncertainty of not knowing what is around the corner," Mr Cook said.

"In small business, you have to manage cash flow, and if you are trying to order stock and suddenly you are shut down, you have bills to pay for the stock you ordered, but no income.

"You hear Kempsey is in lockdown and you think when will we be in lockdown."

Photoworks Express shut its doors and offered a click and collect service during the recent statewide lockdown.

Trade has yet to recover for the business since reopening after the lockdown lifted in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.

"It's the worst [business conditions] I've seen in my 25-plus years in the retail industry, but in saying that, the government has done a great job in trying to help us out and keep us all safe," he said.

Restrictions on travel and gatherings have a knock-on effect for the photographic-related service provider.

But Mr Cook continues to look on the bright side.

"It is all you can do," he said.

Double Shot cafe owner Susan Hunter says she is still feeling positive about the future.

"Once the restrictions are lifted, I think we will grow again as Port is always going to be a popular tourist spot," she said.

Ms Hunter said it had been tough in business.

"We are still trying to establish as a business because we haven't been open very long," she said.

Agostina Fine Fast Food & Catering owner Marissa Bennett said her business was set up for takeaway and all of its regular customers were local.

"We are a very small team and we've managed to keep all our staff members on throughout this whole time which has been pretty much our main goal," she said.

"We have to stay positive and do what we do."

The Horton Street business has expanded its hours but the catering side of the business has dropped off due to the pandemic restrictions.

Saltwater Wine has also benefited from local customers.

Saltwater Wine board store manager Cale Sutton said there was great local support but they were missing the visitors to the area.

Greater Port Macquarie is without the influx of holidaymakers as the Sydney area normally makes up most of our tourist market.

Mr Sutton said they were all ready for the new normal.

The state's vaccination rate continues to climb as the NSW moves towards the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination target.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Bookmark our website

Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters

You can support us with a subscription

Follow us on Twitter: @portmacnews

Follow us on Instagram: @portmacnews

Follow us on Google News

.