Business owner Emma Higgins embraces Facebook, Menulog during lockdown in Coffs Harbour

The statewide lockdown has forced a lot of people to think on their feet, but switching to takeaway isn’t as simple as it seems says one business owner.

Participation in Snoop Dogg’s favourite takeaway platform has skyrocketed thanks to the latest round of statewide lockdowns, as businesses look to survive any way they can.

Bubble Pop owner Emma Higgins operates her ‘hole in the wall’ bubble tea cafe on Moonee St and said the business took a “big hit” when the new restrictions were announced.

Not only were they unable to operate at weekend markets, the CBD was emptying out.

“The big thing is foot traffic,” she said. “We are well supported by the nearby businesses and we have seen a lot of those guys pack up and work from home.”

Unfortunately for many businesses like Ms Higgins’, the lockdowns were announced just as customers were returning after the Coffs Covid-19 scare in July.

Coffs Harbour's Emma Higgins at her 'hole in the wall' bubble tea shop, Bubble Pop on Moonee St. While their market stall is out of action, she has embraced online platforms like Facebook and Menulog to keep the business ticking over. Photo: Tim Jarrett / Coffs Coast Advocate.

In an effort to keep business ticking over Ms Higgins has embraced the power of social media and online ordering platforms like Menulog.

She said Facebook was particularly good for reminding people you were still around and offers an opportunity to “get creative and engage with your customers and put a bit of light in their day”.

While Ms Higgins was hesitant to use Menulog at first, thinking it was something mainly aimed at cities, with “nothing to lose” she took up a free trial.

“During this time of Covid I have found menulog has been a great help in being able to reach customers that can’t reach us,” she said.

“Those people just wanting to feel more secure and safe … they have that option to order online and have it dropped at their door and not have to deal with someone face-to-face.”

And Bubble Pop aren’t alone. Menulog confirmed Coffs Harbour businesses listed on the platform had more than doubled in the last six months and the number of couriers had grown by 53 per cent.

There are now 67 businesses signed up in Coffs Harbour.

Other businesses have taken a more do-it-yourself approach to takeaway and were promoting their products via social media channels.

While switching to takeaway might seem straightforward, small business owner and Coffs Harbour City Council candidate Nikki Williams said it wasn’t as simple as it looked and often came at great cost.

Small business owner Nikki Williams says there is a different feeling this year as the State is plunged into another lockdown. The owner of The Salon, in Coffs Harbour said people needed to recognise the effort small business owners were putting in to change their businesses to cope with the situation.

Ms Williams, who operates The Salon in Coffs Harbour’s CBD, revealed she had spent $60,000 in personal savings to “stay afloat” since the beginning of the pandemic and was sure she was not alone.

She has since started a Facebook group for businesses to showcase their takeaway products during the lockdown.

“People have to understand the tremendous effort it takes to completely change your business to online or takeaway,” she said.

“It is not as easy. We are just working at the moment to keep our bills paid and pay our staff.”

“People need to support local businesses and be mindful of what people are going through, it is tough and we are all doing our best.”