With close to 200 listings, the #ShopMidCoast business directory is linking MidCoast customers to local businesses who continue to diversify services and creatively respond to COVID-19 restrictions.

“ShopMidCoast.com.au is now an ideal way for you to shop while you’re home and make sure your money is helping local businesses – who are our friends, family and neighbours – get through the current situation,” said MidCoast Council’s Manager of Growth, Economic Development and Tourism, Deb Tuckerman.

“As we look forward to coming out of restrictions, a strong local economy will be dependent on strong local businesses – and will help provide local jobs.”

The directory now boasts a huge range of businesses – providing everything from physiotherapy to car servicing, along with gourmet takeaway offerings from some of our finest restaurants, and it’s conveniently searchable – by business type or your location.

Best of all, it’s exclusively MidCoast – and completely in keeping with the way MidCoast locals pull together in difficult times and help each other out.

The directory is free and easy for businesses to list themselves – and it’s supported by TV advertising and ongoing social media campaigns to help residents find more ways to shop local. As restrictions ease in the coming weeks, being listed on #ShopMidCoast will be a great way to reconnect with customers.

“We’ve also established a Business Liaison Service which is fielding calls from local businesses during week days, connecting them with assistance from NSW and Federal agencies to meet their individual needs,” added Ms Tuckerman.

“It’s also help from a real person, a local ear to listen to your need and bring a uniquely MidCoast perspective to assist you.”

Visit www.shopmidcoast.com.au to find a local business, list your business on the directory, or access other help for MidCoast businesses.

Following recommendations from the NSW Government that COVID-19 restrictions would be easing further this Friday, MidCoast Council will be re-opening a number of its facilities to the public.

From Friday 15 May, the MidCoast’s playgrounds, exercise equipment, barbecue and picnic shelters, and Black Head Ocean Pool will re-open to the public, with Forster Main Beach Ocean Pool reopening on Saturday due to scheduled cleaning taking place on Friday.

While these facilities will be open for use, members of the community are reminded they should adhere to social distancing guidelines when using playgrounds, exercise equipment, barbecue and picnic shelters and ocean pools.

In addition ocean pools can have no more than 10 people at a time, and no more than one person in a lane, while change areas will also be closed.

“We will continue to monitor the situation locally and heed the advice and updates from both State and Federal Governments, as well as the Office of Local Government, but common sense is going to be our biggest strength as we move forward as a community,” MidCoast Council’s General Manager, Adrian Panuccio, said.

Restrictions are still in place for other Council facilities, in line with the Public Health Order, including the Manning Entertainment Centre, Manning Regional Art Gallery, libraries, and visitor information centres while Council owned halls and facilities still aren’t available to hire. Council operated showgrounds, free camping areas and all Council Customer Service Centres also remain closed to the public.

“Our teams continue to work behind the scenes to ensure they are ready for when restrictions ease further and we’d like to thank the community for how everyone has adapted to the new ways of doing business with us throughout this pandemic.

“Members of the community can continue to do business with us via phone, email and online services and we have plenty of staff on hand to assist and talk through any queries.”

The situation is constantly changing and Council encourages everyone in the community to stay up to date by visiting www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au, and by following the Council Facebook page.