Bendigo businesses feel forced to reopen despite concerns as rent, JobKeeper problems bite

Inadequate rental support and no JobKeeper will leave many businesses with a huge dilemma even though they will be able to reopen if regional restrictions are lifted in time for weekend trade, businessman Andrew Lethlean said.

"This coming week is going to be extra tough on many, many local businesses, especially the bigger ones," he said.

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Mr Lethlean said he would likely be among owners forced to open even at the risk of running at a loss.

He avoided reopening too soon when the state government imposed a 50 patron cap on dine in venues during a 2020 lockdown.

That was because there was more support available back then to ease pressure on his operations' finances.

The state government has announced extra business grants funding, including another $209 million on Wednesday.

That will not be enough for many businesses and will likely go towards paying a fraction of their rents, Mr Lethlean said.

Mr Lethlean and his staff are considering experimenting this weekend with "innovative promotion" ideas, including a 150 person pub crawl between nightclubs the Metropolitan Hotel, the Tonic Bar and Star Bar.

Another of Mr Lethlean's businesses, the Malt Shovel Taphouse, will run several two-hour dine-in options for patrons during evening services.

Bendigo's wider business community is reacting with mixed feelings to the news that lockdown restrictions will continue.

Bendigo Tourism chair Finn Vedeslby welcomed the likely easing of restrictions for regional Victorians but said businesses and casual workers would struggle while Melbournians stayed locked down.

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Those tourists have so far been the number one source of tourism for Bendigo during the fledgling COVID-19 recovery, he said.

"So it's back to locals looking after locals again."

"Casual workers are our most vulnerable right now. They are the first to be cut when businesses are limping along with limited numbers."

They are also among the most important people to the tourism economy because they are so often the first to welcome visitors to the city, Mr Vedeslby said.

Acting premier James Merlino on Wednesday reiterated calls for extra support for workers from the federal government.

"Victorian workers are crying out for support. We are doing all that we can," he told reporters.

"Ultimately, you know, you can only do what we are responsible for inputting forward a significant support package. The ball is in the federal government's court."

The federal government has come under increasing pressure this week to extend support packages that could help casual workers, including reviving ideas like JobKeeper.

One solution could be to create disaster recovery payments like those previously paid to people after bushfires.

The idea released by the Australian Council of Social Service on Wednesday could be one-off payments of up to $3000 for adults.

The federal government has been contacted for comment.

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