The CBD was a mixed bag of activity yesterday afternoon. Some shops showed no sign of activity, while others had owners, managers and staff working on shelving, stock or moving fridges and freezers back into place.

There were a limited few that were open and trading.

Two elements of the Cyclone Alfred event that stood out were that Flood Plans worked, and the support of the community was incredible once again.

A number of businesses reported community help. For some it involved family and friends, and for others it involved complete strangers.

Once again, the people of Lismore, both young and old, stood up to lend a hand when needed. That help will turn to spending hard-earned dollars to support local businesses that have yet another challenge to overcome in what has been a very challenging five years.

Rollerworld in North Lismore is situated on low-lying land near the Wilsons River. Floods of this recent size are nothing new, the floodwaters were about waist deep. It will be a massive week of cleaning for owner Craig Newby and the team.

(Rollerworld in North Lismore, under again.)

"We had about a dozen people turn up today and help us with the clean up," Craig told the Lismore App, "Which was really good. They're pressure cleaning the floor and furniture and then using sugar soap to get us ready for, hopefully, a Saturday reopening."

(Rollerworld after a clean)

Most of the businesses the Lismore App spoke to said it was a good exercise to test their Flood Plans. Everyone said their flood plans worked well, with some more lessons learnt so that they will be further improved during the next flood.

Another learning was the time it takes to restock shops after it is safe to return. Many reported four to five hours to pack up and move, while it took a minimum of eight hours, in some cases two shifts of eight hours. This is why most businesses are reopening later than most people expect.

A quick walk around the CBD block discovered the different reopening days.

WOODLARK STREET

The Boys Hair & Makeup will open today. 

Millers Bakery will open Wednesday or Thursday.

Toyworld will be open on Wednesday.

(Toyworld on Woodlark Street)

Indian Mumtaj is hoping to open today for takeaway but it could be Wednesday.

MOLESWORTH STREET

Bi-Rite Home Appliances & Furniture Court are open to do business over the phone and doing home deliveries. They are looking at reopening Wednesday with floor stock.

The Furniture Court will hold a sale on floor stock that has been damaged during the move out of the store last week.

Sportspower may be open on Thursday. 

Inka & Co will reopen on Wednesday.

(Annette Adams out the fron of her Inka & Co shop on Molesworth Street)

Brands Pharmacy is open for medication and scripts although they are still re-stocking from 8:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Laubman & Pank opened yesterday for eyewear and eye tests.

(Optometrist Millur Gao waiting for customers at Laubman Bank on Molesworth Street)

MAGELLAN STREET

Little Polli & the Blackbird will reopen next Monday.

Intersport opened yesterday.

KEEN STREET

Uncle Lims will probably open on Thursday.

Thai Satay Hut were serving meals yesterday.

SOUTH LISMORE

Southside Pharmacy is open for all scripts, medication and mobility items from 8:30am to 6pm.

The community has supported our local businesses physically, and now it is time to support them financially by visiting the CBD and making a purchase.

After speaking with some business owners, this will give you an understanding of the losses they have incurred in the last seven days. As a rule of thumb, the larger the business, the larger the loss. All business owners spoken to kept paying their staff.

One owner lost around $200,000 in lost trade and wages, another $100,000, and a smaller business $30,000.

Most have debt from the 2022 flood, ATO debt that is accumulating interest and lower consumer spending for the last twelve months because of the high cost of living.

All were disappointed there was no Business Grant announcement yesterday from the PM for small businesses across the board, not just sole traders.

"Not really ideal. We can’t rely on them to fix our problems", "It would be nice to get loss of wages" and "They seem to forget the little guys", were just a few comments.

Most said, "We're just happy it didn't flood". The damage bill would have been so much higher if the levee wall was overtopped.