With the lockdown announced less than 12 hours before it went into effect, businesses across the city scrambled to figure out how they would continue to trade over what was expected to be a busy weekend.

Many businesses had their fridges fully stocked to cope with the demand of the weekend, but soon started to process cancellations.

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The Forge Pizzeria was one to make a quick turnaround to producing heat-at-home meals with the produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Owner Tim Matthews said while foot traffic was virtually non-existent, the venue had to move staff from service to delivery to keep up with phone and online orders.

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"We're not seeing any of the foot traffic we would normally see, which is understandable, but our online and phones were running hot so we had a few delivery drivers out and about which is positive, keeping some people in employment," he said.

"The community is in lockdown, too, so it's good for them to be able to show their support. A lot of the traders really appreciate that sort of thing and it's good for everyone to get out for a few minutes.

"It's nice to see their faces too, while we appreciate the online orders, it is nice to see them come in the store. We appreciate the support from all angles."

After opening in November, the Orchard Cafe in Lucas is experiencing its first lockdown and had to move quickly to transition to a takeaway-only service.

Co-owner LeRoy Hand said while the cafe's first day of takeaway trade on Monday was busier than expected, business was still almost half of a normal day.

"It felt good being a tiny bit busier, but the reality is it's not even a break even day so we have to wary and cross our fingers that we reopen Thursday and have a bumper day," he said.

"Honestly, we're overwhelmed with the support from the Lucas community, everyone came out to get coffee or a toastie and some even drove a couple kilometres to show their support, so we're really happy with that.

"We actually got quite a few messages from the local cafes in Ballarat showing their support because its our first lockdown."

In response to the lockdown's adverse effect on traders, Commerce Ballarat started a social media campaign called Ballarat's Big Binge to encourage the community to support local businesses.

Chief executive Jodie Gillett said the support was not just important to businesses financially, but also to their owners on an emotional level.

"That support helps their mental health as well to feel like they have everyone behind them," she said.

"While our community did everything they could, it has been an extremely costly weekend for our businesses.

"There's no doubt that not having the community out and about meant that there was an incredible amount of produce lost and our accommodation venues who have been hit so hard, they've been hit again with massive cancellations."

Ballarat resident Kirsty Wakefield was one of many community members to make a concerted effort to support local businesses over the weekend, spending about $400 at local shops and restaurants.

As an accountant for Ballarat businesses for the past decade, Ms Wakefield said she saw a lot of value in local support.

"I worked out that it wasn't just about businesses, it was people behind them so local businesses have always been important to me to support," she said.

"Ballarat is a wonderful city, so why wouldn't we support our local businesses? If you don't support it, it will never stay and never come back so you need to get behind everything that comes into Ballarat.

"If you can help, why wouldn't you?"

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