Business Hunter CEO Encourages Optus To Compensate Local Businesses

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK

Following yesterday's Optus outage, the CEO of Business Hunter says he's hopeful local Optus customers will be offered some kind of compensation.

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said yesterday the provider would consider the possibility of compensation for customers.

But, despite thousands of businesses losing millions of dollars during the outage, Optus is yet to confirm if any compensation will be offered.

Bob Hawes says customers are anxiously awaiting answers.

"I'm hopeful that Optus will be wanting to preserve it's customer base and do the right thing by it's loyal customers and make some announcements," he said. 

Mr Hawes said local business owners are exploring their options.

"I'm sure more questions will be asked by businesses now; a lot more focus and importance will be placed on decisions made about who they go with, and what sort of system support is in place.

He also reports owners are already questioning whether or not their business interruption insurance will kick-in, as they await more news from the TELCO. 

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is urging business in the region to hold into their receipts to show proof of economic loss. 

Hunter homeowners hurting

 BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Homeowners in the Hunter have suffered another blow, with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raising interest rates for the twelfth time since May last year.

The official cash-rate has jumped 25 basis points to 4.1%, the highest it has been in 11 years.

The RBA argues they had no choice but to increase the official rate, because inflation remains stubbornly high.

The jump means the average monthly mortgage repayment in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie will rise to $4,464. 

Governor of the RBA, Philip Lowe. Image:Matt Jelonek/AAP

Business Hunter CEO says he is also concerned for Hunter businesses.

"The increase in the interest rate might cause customers, or the community, to keep their hands in their pockets and reduce their spending further, which obviously has a flow-on impact to many of the businesses across the region," he said.

The cost of living crisis continues to affect those living in the Hunter.

Hunter businesses anxious ahead of Christmas

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter businesses are bracing for more uncertainty and are more concerned than the NSW average, according to the latest Business Conditions Survey.

39 percent of local businesses told Business Hunter, they are "extremely concerned" about the impact of rising interest rates on business expansion plans.

The region's business confidence index is expected to fall to -72.5 in the next quarter, nearing a lowest possible score of -100. 

CEO Bob Hawes says it's the first time businesses have been less optimistic about the future than the present, since the pandemic began.

Staff shortages, energy prices, supply chain issues, and interest rates remain serious concerns.

Business calling for clarity around Queen's memorial holiday

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter can expect a day off to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II next Thursday, but businesses are bracing for a busy day.

Anthony Albanese's declared a public holiday for the National Day of Mourning on September 22, but the short notice has raised concern for hospitality and other local business.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says the sector's already facing staff shortages, and it could be hard for businesses to find spare hands.

"Many businesses would have already made arrangements for that week, and for that matter, members of the community and the public, their expectations are already set," he said.

"It will be a little bit disruptive, and I think the impacts across businesses will be somewhat uneven and some will be impacted more than others."

"But at the end of the day, there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to try and accommodate it and move on."

It's unclear if there will be special restrictions or limitations on opening hours on the public holiday, but the business community expects workers will be entitled to penalty rates.

Mr Hawes says it's thrown a spanner in the works for school formals and other events too.

"Now they might be faced with additional costs as a consequence of having to pay those penalty rates," he said. "There might be a bit of to and fro with people that have made those bookings and arrangements."

"Apart from the fact that some people, some staff might have other plans or are trying to put other plans in place to take the Friday off as well and make a long weekend out of it."

The Australian Medical Association has also raised concern about the one-off holiday, with worry it could have a major impact on appointments and elective surgeries.

Schools are also scrambling to make plans, with holidays set to begin the weekend after the sudden public holiday.

The Prime Minister says it's a once-in-a-lifetime event, however, and as much notice has been given as possible.

Here in the Hunter, we're being urged to be calm at the checkout.

"A plea to the community to be patient," Mr Hawes said. "Don't take it out on the business or the workers if your expectations aren't being realised on the day, if a business does choose to open."

"Even leading up to it, if you're trying to make arrangements and you're finding that they're falling foul because a public holiday has been declared, they've got to understand that it's not the business' fault."

"They didn't call for it, it's just the circumstances they're in."

Image credit: Anthony Albanese.

Hunter businesses hoping for last-minute voucher cash splash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

We're being encouraged to spend our Dine and Discover vouchers in the Hunter, before they expire at the end of the month.

It's estimated, there's around $300 million unspent across NSW, which is set to vanish on June 30.

According to Business Hunter, with around ten percent of the state's population in the Hunter, there's $30 million yet to be used locally.

CEO Bob Hawes says there's no point letting the vouchers go to waste, when local business could benefit.

"That's quite a significant amount of money to spend in a relatively short period of time," he said.

"We really encourage people to have a look at their app or to go online to the Service NSW website and check their eligibility."

There's concern the vouchers have been forgotten as COVID restrictions eased and check-ins and other requirements have been dropped from shop windows.

The Stay NSW voucher for accommodation doesn't expire until October, but we're being urged to use the six Dine and Discover vouchers in the next week.

"It's an opportunity for people to start googling and asking places whether they take the vouchers, and if they do, get out and have a very busy weekend," Mr Hawes said.

"Businesses really do need people's support, so it's up to our community to have a good look."

Minimum wage hike met with enthusiasm and anxiety across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's low income workers are welcoming a boost to the minimum wage, but the business community is worried, it could slow things down coming out of the pandemic.

The Fair Work Commission announced on Wednesday, it would up wages by 5.2 percent, as well as award rates by 4.6 percent.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions called for a hike as high as 5.5 percent, while key business groups argued it couldn't afford to be any higher than 2.5 to 3 percent.

Hunter Workers Secretary Leigh Shears says it's a very welcome move.

"It's an absolute sigh of relief," he said. "It still falls short somewhat, but it could have been significantly worse."

"A 5.2 percent increase is a historical moment and it is a win for working people."

The same enthusiasm hasn't been shared by the business community, where there's concern it's but another cost to cover. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says workers deserve relief from cost-of-living pressures, but it will be another strain on local business.

"Rising costs of input, costs of energy going up, and a whole bunch of other things," he said.

"In many cases, they haven't been able to pass those costs on, so another cost impost like this might make it difficult.

"We just hope that it won't result in having to put people off as a consequence."

Unions say, however, it's ultimately a win-win situation, and the money will circle back around to businesses.

"The important thing to remember is small businesses rely on people to have disposable income and to spend money in their shops," Mr Shears said.

"There were some small businesses [on Wednesday] talking about the bulk of their customers are people on low income, so a boost to their wages is a boost to small business."

For workers in aviation, tourism, and hospitality, the wage hike has been delayed until October 1.

Mr Hawes says there's hope businesses will be able to find a stable footing before then.

"For those businesses that have suffered badly through COVID, it gives them a chance to take a breath and consider what these cost increases might be," he said.

"There's no doubt that giving money to those on lower incomes has a good pay packet effect - they get out there and spend.

"But obviously they've got challenges ahead of them in relation to increasing costs-of-living, and that won't necessarily go back through retail or hospitality business."

Long weekend a chance for Hunter business to get back on their feet

BY JORDAN REGNIS

There's hope, the long weekend was a chance for a number of local businesses across the Hunter to gain an economic foothold, after significant staff shortages and supply chain issues.

Restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels recorded large crowds of people over the three-day period, despite the cooler weather.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel recorded over 900 guests each night across the three days, while the hospitality sector got off to a good start with the first State of Origin match on Tuesday.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says there were a large number of tourists from both within and across the state.

"I think that comes back to the capacity of the flights at the airport, which are nearly back to what they were before COVID," Mr Hawes said. 

"We just hope that customers and the community remain patient while they go through this period of adjustment."

Interest rate hike sparks anxiety for Hunter businesses

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's concern a long-awaited increase to interest rates will hit Hunter businesses hard, just as they were hoping to escape the financial woes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Reserve Bank announced a cash rate hike to 0.35 percent on Tuesday afternoon, with the big four banks each passing on the increase in full.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says, with households keeping a closer eye on their budget, it could be bad news for business.

"For us, it's not just the amount that it's gone up but the message that it sends," Mr Hawes said.

"Everyone was expecting this or anticipating it, but now it's going to be interesting what happens with sentiment, because really at the moment, businesses can't afford for people to put their hands in their pockets too much.

"They're really hoping that people continue to get out there and patronise and spend."

It's understood, businesses have already been absorbing cost increases over the past couple of years.

Industry has also been plagued by staff shortages and inflationary pressures on the price of goods, especially as most government support measures were withdrawn after the height of the pandemic.

With more rate hikes on the horizon, Mr Hawes says it's just another burden, and one that isn't likely to go away anytime soon.

"That's something that we've got to watch out for, because it really will have an opportunity - not necessarily just because of the amounts or the absolute amounts of changes in the interest rate - but the sentiment that it sets and the message that it sends about what's happening in the economy," Mr Hawes said.

"People tend to tighten up and not go out to spend and they get more conservative, and that will be a concern for businesses."

State support package to help Hunter businesses stay the course

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's hoped a new support package announced by the State Government will help Hunter businesses push through tough conditions and low consumer confidence in the Omicron surge.

Local businesses are being urged to apply if they're eligible.

The program includes a number of measures, including:

• Businesses with a turnover between $75,000 and $50 million who suffered a 40 percent downturn in January and are projected to do the same in February can apply for payments up to $5000 a week
• The Small Business Fees and Charges rebate program has been extended to $3000, and can also include 50% of the costs of acquiring rapid antigen tests for the workplace.
• Commercial landlord relief has been extended until March 13.
  

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes is welcoming the package, but says it could be coming too late for some businesses.

"This is going to help some businesses, but we're concerned that some have probably already gone too far," Mr Hawes said.

"Particularly going through the summer period, where a lot of businesses traditionally would have made money to put away for quieter times have missed out on that trade."

"I just hope winter isn't too severe and I just hope that when the community feels confident, and that it is very soon, that they get out there and spend."

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp has echoed those sentiments, arguing the eligibility requirements are too narrow.

There's concern the program doesn't address the impact on Christmas trading late last year.

Performing arts support has also been included as part of the package.

Eligible venues, as well as producers and promoters of performances, are able to apply for funding, dependent on average ticket prices and sales.

The State Government announced the measures as part of a response to declining case numbers.

But Mr Hawes says while the COVID situation is definitely improving, we're not out of the woods yet.

"I think there's still a way to go," Mr Hawes said. "There's a lot of things that have to turn out way to get us back to the recovery pathways that we all anticipated that we were going to be on in late 2021."

"It's not just about the community perceptions about being concerned about going out while the virus is so prevalent."

"It's also some of this dislocation that we're seeing in supply chains, we're still seeing difficulties in the labour market, businesses being able to get labour."

Businesses worried Newcastle outbreak will be the last straw

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There's concern the rapid climb in COVID cases across the Hunter will spell doom for small businesses who have only just started to recover.

It's likely a large number of local businesses are banking on strong Christmas trade to bolster their return.

But there's fear businesses who just barely managed to survive the previous lockdowns, won't make it through if the numbers keep up.

Trade confidence has plummeted, as businesses see high numbers of cancellations, or are forced to close their doors due to isolating or infected staff. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says we could be facing a virtual lockdown.

"I'm pretty confident that we won't go into another lockdown, based on what the Government has been saying over the last couple of days, but that doesn't stop the community changing their habits in not engaging, not going out, not going to venues," Mr Hawes said.

"In a sense, you have a slowdown in trade that's not generated by a lockdown, but just generated by a response to the spike in the virus."

The December 15 reopening milestone has proven not as exciting for Newcastle as initially hoped by the business community.

Some venues have decided to keep restrictions such as mask mandates and check-ins, and shut their doors to the unvaccinated.

Mr Hawes says despite restrictions easing, the Government can't afford to take a back seat.

"The support stuff is still out there at the moment, not all of it's been withdrawn, but we have started engaging with the Government to try and make sure that if businesses are forced to the brink again, through no fault of their own, that some of these assistance packages will be available," Mr Hawes said.

"They haven't been withdrawn yet, but we want to make sure that they're going to be continuing."

Hunter's Unemployment Figures Back on Track Despite Huge Vacancies

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's jobless rate is now back to pre-COVID levels, despite some growing pains as we get back to work.

The unemployment rate landed at 5.8 percent last month, compared to an 11 percent peak during last year's pandemic and 7.6 percent in January. 

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says the data looks good for the future of the Hunter's economic recovery.

"We haven't seen the cliff that some were potentially anticipating with the end of Jobkeeper," Mr Hawes said.

"There are sectors of our economy locally that are coping with COVID and in fact doing very well."

Despite the promising figures, there's been a record number of job ads and high vacancies in jobs like hospitality, medicine, sales, teaching, and clerical work. 

The Hunter's jobless rate also remains above both the state and national jobless average.

Mr Hawes says there's still "a bit of work to be done".

"We're getting down to that part where it starts to get difficult," Mr Hawes. "If businesses are going so well and they're after people and the unemployment rate's so low, the pool obviously gets a lot smaller."

"We are hearing a lot of stories that businesses aren't getting the response they anticipated."

"Meeting the needs of both business and meeting the needs of people that are unemployed that are seeking work, we have to do a little reconciliation to understand what those linkages are."

"[We have to] make sure that the programs that are out there are fit for purpose, and that any support, be it financial or training or whatever else is out there, is also current and is also relevant."

City of Newcastle Offering Free Training for COVID-19 Business Recovery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Small business workers in Newcastle can now access free accredited online training courses in a City of Newcastle initiative to help businesses get back on their feet.

Provided by TAFE NSW, the University of Newcastle and Novaskill, the 14 training programs on offer focus on areas such as customer behaviour, social media marketing, leadership skills and financial management.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says the initiative will help local businesses which have suffered from slow economic activity even after the worst of the pandemic had elapsed.

“This training is targeted at providing local businesses and their staff with an ongoing benefit during the recovery phase and beyond, as the economy returns to a ‘new normal’ state," Cr Nelmes said.

“By upskilling our local workforce and empowering people to learn, we can help provide a sense of positivity and support for the business community as they work to recover from this period of extraordinary economic and social disruption.”

Enrolments are open at each of the three participating organisations for anyone who works at a small business in the Newcastle LGA which employs 20 staff or less - however, each student is only eligible to complete one of the training packages.

Novaskill General Manager Amanda Saunders says the initiative would help support small businesses in "difficult times" now and in the future.

“By offering Newcastle business owners and their staff meaningful development opportunities for the future, we are creating ways to keep everyone engaged and prepared for navigating the ‘new normal’ we are all now facing.”

Image credit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

Lake Macquarie Businesses to Benefit from High Speed Internet, 24 Times Faster than National Average

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

More businesses in Lake Macquarie are set to benefit from the roll out the the 'Fibre City' initiative, bringing internet with download speeds up to 24 times faster than the national average to the area.

Last year Australia fell to 68th place in average internet speeds (41.7 megabytes per second) across the world despite the roll-out of the National Broadband Network.

Lake Macquarie Council has partnered with TPG to install the network which will deliver internet with download speeds of up to 1 gigabyte per second.

The Council's Chief information officer, Alexis Hill says speeds this fast are already available in Charlestown's business precinct and installation is already underway in Cardiff's Industrial estate stretching to Boolaroo along Munibung Road, with the Council set to expand the network.

"It means more businesses will be able to connect to a new infrastructure which is uncontested. It will be really fast and reliable," she says.

"We're hoping the first phase will be delivered by the 30th of June this year so that will mean the network is available to start the new financial year."

Ms Hill says many businesses in Lake Macquarie have reported feeling "let down" by the current networks reliability.

"Considering the current COVID-19 situation it's really important they have reliable and fast speed internet connection and through feedback, we know it's not at the level they require to do what they need."

Ms Hill says plans are being considered to expand the network to residents in the future and further increase speed.

"This is the first phase of the project, and this is really to support the local business community but we're looking at different phases and the best areas of opportunity, trying to make sure the network is available to as many people in our community as possible."

Chief Information Officer Alexis Hill on Munibung Road

Hunter Councils Introduce New Measures to Save Businesses and Residents During Pandemic

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A number of Hunter Councils have introduced new measures at Tuesday night's council meeting's aiming to provide further support to businesses and residents. 

Lake Macquarie Council is set to introduce support measures including; 

• A scaled commercial rent relief program that reduces or waives up to 100% of rent owed to Council by eligible business for a period of up-to six months.
• A rent relief program for Council’s residential tenants that provides a 50% waiver on rent for tenants significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency for a period of up-to six months.
• Financial Hardship Assistance measures for residents and businesses significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, including waiving of interest on overdue rates and flexible payment plans.
• Updates to Council’s Financial Hardship Assistance Policy to include businesses and landlords, and the waiving of credit card surcharges while Council’s Administration Building is closed.
• The waiving of lease fees for community organisations that lease Council-owned land/and or buildings for a period of six months.
•  A program to enable Council staff to assist community-based organisations, to help deliver critical community services.

“There has been a lot of hard work that has gone in to developing these measures and it’s wonderful that we can now begin to put them in place,” said Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser.

“We also know that our local businesses will be hit particularly hard. We have more than 13,000 businesses operating in our City, 98% of which are small businesses. They are feeling the impacts and there is no short-term fix for the current crisis, so that’s why the relief package will be in place for up to six months.”

The majority of the measures will be made available immediately, with the exception of the proposed rent relief package for Council’s commercial and residential tenants which is required to be exhibited for 28 days and once it has been endorsed by Council it will be backdated to the 1st of April 2020.

Maitland Council is also expanding their hardship provisions, suspending interest payments and debt collections.   

The Council will use similar criteria to the Federal Governments 'Job Keeper' program to determine who is eligible for payment plans to be set up on council payments.

Maitland Council is also working to relieve the rate burden on businesses, by removing the second tier of the CBD marketing and promotional rate that applies to all businesses fronting the levy. 

The Council also discussed introducing additional community grants, and plans to get the community back up and running again when the pandemic is over. 

"There'll be a time when communities need to come together again and reconnect, so we've been looking at things we can do to support business recovery through marketing and promotional efforts," Maitland Council General Manager, David Evans said.

"When the time is right for business to re-open,  we've been planning how we'll bring people back into Maitland, particularly Maitland CBD."

                                      Image Credit: Lakes Mail

Hunter Business Confidence Crashes to Worst Levels Since Global Financial Crisis

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Local businesses say economic conditions have deteriorated rapidly as movement restrictions and social gathering measures tighten their grip on the Hunter Region.

The latest edition of the Business NSW Business Conditions Survey has shown the Hunter economy was one of the hardest hit in the state, following months of bush fires, drought, and now, COVID-19.

More than 200 of the 2,000 responses in the survey were collected from the Hunter, with 70 percent of businesses state-wide claiming they would have to cease trading or scale down if lockdown measures were sustained.

Bob Hawes, CEO of the Hunter Business Chamber, says the rapid erosion of business confidence has been dramatic and will likely have lasting consequences.

“The impact of COVID-19 on confidence is most apparent in business expectations for the next quarter, with confidence falling to levels not seen since the Global Financial Crisis.”

Although businesses in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie were somewhat less affected than those in the Hunter Valley, the impact upon business confidence was still "catastrophic".

While businesses will be able to access federal JobKeeper subsidies from May, nearly 90 percent of businesses still expect the June quarter to be weaker than that of March.

"We're certainly thankful that the government are putting stimulus packages on the table that employees and employers can access," said Mr Hawes. "We're really hopeful that these are going to be able to sustain the level of activity that we need to make sure that when recovery does come, we can take the best advantage of it."

In the meantime, businesses were reported to be moving away from traditional growth objectives such as growing revenue and expanding capacity in favour of downsizing and maintaining solvency.

“All of these trends are consistent with what has been observed through our daily engagement with businesses over the past weeks and why it is so important that every tier of government does all that is possible to keep businesses in operation and staff employed,” Mr Hawes said.

“It is also clear that further restrictions on movement and social gathering would be highly detrimental to business, so it is important that the community observes the current rules and regulations, especially over the coming holiday period, so we don’t see more limitations imposed.”

Image credit: Hunter Business Chamber

GoGet Car Sharing Services Coming to Newcastle

BY HANNAH-LOUISE ANDERSON

The development company Thirdi Group is teaming up with GoGet to launch it's car sharing services in Newcastle, starting with the company's own Westend Precinct.

Over one hundred cars and vans are set to be scattered over the city centre and fringes in an attempt to assist those who can't afford a vehicle of their own or have no access to parking facilities.

"As a developer this sort of partnership makes complete sense." says Thirdi Group's Director of Sales and Marketing Luke Perry.

"When you think about connectivity and transport, any form of transport that a city explores that's flexible and sustainable will be greater for all residents in Newcastle."

"The platform's been created to give people that may not be able to afford a full-time car or need a secondary car flexibility where you can become a member, and within minutes hire a car you can use to go about your daily business."

The aim of the arrangement is to provide property owners with the chance to access the vehicles for hire, with 'free driving credits' available to cover the basic needs of Westend residents.

"We've worked out the average urban dweller needs about twenty-five kilometres per week and university students or individuals who don't want to carry the cost of owning a car can become a member and take advantage of the GoGet credits and the wavering of the membership fees that we've negotiated for our projects." says Mr Perry.

An estimated ten percent of GoGet's fleet is set to be permanently located in the Westend or in the basements of the Union and Hannel Street Thirdi Developments due for completion in 2020 with the hope of expansion in the future.

Photo belonging to GoGet

Local Businesses' Urgent Plea for Rate Relief

BY TIM MOORE

Newcastle businesses are suffering as high rates in the city place them under serious financial pressure, with many facing a very real threat of closure.

Council is particularly being called on to scrap the Special Benefit Rate (SBR) applied to businesses across Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton.

However, despite the pleas, Newcastle City CEO Jeremy Bath recently announced a program which will redirect funds away from the Business Improvement Association into running projects and events.

Additionally, despite an announced budget surplus of $11.95 million, little is being done to relieve some of the burdens affecting local businesses, including failure to address reducing parking costs which has been cited by business owners as the number one concern affecting their trading.

Hamilton Chamber President Nathan Errington is among those calling for action, and has said that Council needs to pay more more attention to the needs of businesses in the community.

"Newcastle City Council is failing. We have lost all confidence in the city administration regarding small business, so we're calling them to start listening to the business community... They need some rate relief."

Removal of the SBR has been cited as the main priority for local business, however this call comes alongside several other requests, including identified needs regarding infrastructure renewal and the ineffective financial assistance which was offered to businesses affected by construction during May this year.

Image source: http://www.nobullrealestate.com.au/blog/Newcastle

Cessnock's Buy Local Initiative

BY ARIANA GATTI

Cessnock City Council is currently asking local businesses to participate and register to be involved in listing their practice in a 'Buy Local Initiative', in a move to connect businesses with the community.

The initiative will introduce a guidebook that will showcase businesses around the area, encouraging locals and visitors to utlise their company first, rather than looking and going elsewhere for services.

Businesses can choose to advertise in the booklet or put in residents only offers.

The guide is set to be launched in July this year, offered both in hard copy and via online channels.

The hard copy will be available from the Council Customer Service Desk, local libraries and the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre.

Cessnock City Council's Economic Development Manager, Jane Holdsworth, says she is confident the initiative will have a positive effect on those involved.

"It's an excellent way for businesses to build local customer relationships and generate loyalty, fostering a greater sense of pride within the community", she says.

Bookings for businesses to participate is set to close around the May period.

Image sourced: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au

More than 20 Break and Entries in Hunter Valley Wine Country

BY ALEX MURRAY

Over the past month, the Hunter Valley Wine country has been the victim of mass break-ins with over 20 businesses affected including restaurants, retail stores and cellars.

The spike in incidents have left the community vulnerable and are seriously damaging to their business, the safety of their employees and for owners who are left with large costs in damages.

One woman has already been arrested but it is made clear to police from CCTV footage and comments from members of the community, these investigations are still ongoing.

Businesses including Sadler's Creek Wines, Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop and Buon Cibo Ristorante are among the targetted with break-ins and thefts causing major inconvenience.

Central Hunter crime manager, George Radmore says they're working hard to investigate a number of suspects but they're always looking for more information and urge the community to contact Crime Stoppers.

"It's concerning for any home or business who are victims of break-in style offences and certainly something the police and the community are working to be stopped."