Many shops in Forbes forced to close and cut staff as business slows due to drought

More than 18 months into the worst drought in living memory, for lease signs hang in far too many shopfronts in Forbes. Shopkeepers are fighting for their futures in the town where agriculture is the largest local industry.

• Adopt a Farmer and help them through the drought
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More than 18 months into the worst drought in living memory, for lease signs hang in far too many shopfronts in Forbes.

Shopkeepers are fighting for their futures in the central west NSW town, where agriculture is the largest local industry.

But the much-needed income from local farming families has dried up.

A survey of the region by the NSW Business Chamber found about 45 per cent of businesses were struggling with falling profits and about a third reported cutting staff.

Sad sight: Several shops have for lease signs out the front after they fell victim to the crippling drought. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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Jacinta Baas owns clothing boutique Chapter Two and said the drop in spending by farmers’ wives has had a devastating impact on her business.

“About 18 months ago I decided to start selling online and without that I don’t know where I’d be because sometimes you go a whole morning without anyone stepping into the shop,” she said.

Ms Baas lives on a farm about 70km south of Forbes but in January the family decided to lease the land to a neighbour for the next four years, as the drought had made farming too difficult.

“My husband still really struggles with the decision that we made, it was really hard for us but we had to do it,” she said.

Chapter Two owner Jacinta Bass said farmers struggling to make an income has led to their wives spending little to nothing in her store. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A few shops down, president of the Forbes Business Chamber Marg Duggan, who owns Undercover Sleepwear and Lingerie, said the town was trying hard to bring in more visitors.

“Last Christmas the farmers’ wives came in and spent about 25 to 30 per cent of what they normally would, which is a huge hit for the businesses,” she said.

“We’re trying to innovate and be creative because you can’t just keep going as you are or we will lose everything.”

Ms Duggan said Forbes has hosted a classic car rally, festivals, and on November 9 the town will close off a whole street for a community lunch.

“You’ve got to always smile and all work together to survive and wave the flag to show how great country living is,” she said.

Stockman Noel Hocking has been helping out-of-work farmers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Daily Telegraph’s Adopt a Farmer campaign is designed to help small businesses in rural areas by injecting some much-needed cash into local shops.

Through our charity partner Rural Aid we aim to give 8000 farmers struggling in the drought a $100 pre-paid visa gift card, which families are encouraged to spend locally.

Forbes Shire Council mayor Phyllis Miller said the drought was a “shock and a disaster” for the town.

“In 2016 we flooded and then we went straight into a drought so farmers had just reinvested after losing everything in the flood and now they’re losing again,” she said.

HE Silos worker Stevie Morrison, 25, said her family business is one of few that are thriving. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Forbes mayor Phyllis Miller revealed it was the worst drought she has ever experienced. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cr Miller, who worked in stock sales before becoming mayor, said the drought was the worst she’d ever experienced, delivering a huge cash hit to the town.

“If we don’t get any rain this month we’re really buggered, there’ll be no crops, no feed for stock and no money,” she said.

The council received $1 million in drought funding from the Federal Government last year, which has been used to hire about a dozen farmers unable to find work due to the drought.

HE Silos is one of the few Forbes businesses continuing to thrive despite the drought — as office manager Stevie Morrison points out, silos for grain storage are an “absolute need”.

Originally published as Many shops in Forbes forced to close and cut staff as business slows due to drought