Warrnambool's Mister Brightside Woodfired Pizza owner Jarrod McSween has been selling stock from businesses forced to close.

He said when the doors shut at Port Fairy's Poco Artisan Icecream, the freezers remained full of goods.

"Easter weekend should have been their busiest weekend of the year and suddenly they were forced to close and there was all this stock with no way of getting rid of it," he said.

"I offered to buy it all off her and then sell it out of my shop instead."

Mr McSween is also hosting Sunday gnocchi nights and using "award-winning" pasta from Port Campbell's Forage on the Foreshore.

"That was a family suddenly left without an income so I thought why not come over to my shop and sell your stuff, with 100 per cent of the money for you," he said.

"Everyone is doing it hard at the moment so it's important to look after each other. Having these great products in my store might also drag a few customers in so it's a win-win."

In Mortlake, Deli Fresh Cafe owner Peter Thulborn is handing out free produce vouchers to people that brighten his day.

He said the coronavirus pandemic had created a sombre vibe throughout the town and he had lost about 80 per cent of his trade due to stage three restrictions.

But, he said he was doing what he could to spread positivity throughout the community.

Mr Thulborn said he was promoting posts of good humour on social media by awarding the best with a free, fresh fruit voucher.

"So many people are trying to fill in time by scrolling through their Facebook and there have been some posts on the Mortlake Community Notice Board page that have left us rolling on the floor laughing," he said.

"I decided to reward anyone who is promoting good will, having a bit of a laugh and looking at the good side of life, rather than all the darkness."

For some businesses, it's the positive community spirit that is keeping them alive.

One Mister Brightside Woodfired Pizza customer purchased a $200 voucher to use in the future and help keep the business afloat.

Mortlake's Macs Hotel staff member Alex Cameron said the community's love of a pub meal meant the business was "almost at normal numbers".

"All the locals are very supportive which is amazing considering no one is sitting in and we've also had terrible weather," he said.

"We're doing a lot of takeaway meals, like parmas and steaks, and the community is very understanding that considering the circumstances, you might get your steak medium rare rather than rare."

In Camperdown, Snout In The Trough owner Justine Jones said she had seen an influx of people 'paying it forward' since government restrictions came into force.

"The first person was one of our regulars who on the way to chemotherapy paid for a coffee for herself as well as another five for the next five customers," she said.

"She is just an amazing person who really got the ball rolling. After that, the next person to come in got a free coffee and they paid forward another four."

Ms Jones said take-home meals were also being paid in advance and donated to Camperdown's St. Pauls Anglican Church.

"We've even had out-of-towners paying forward coffee and take-home meals, including one person from Geelong who rang to pay it forward," she said.

"It's something that really puts a smile on your face."

Avid beer drinkers are also paying it forward by buying a pint from their local pub to drink when the pandemic blows over.

It's part of the For the Love of Your Local campaign, which sees the cash go straight to the hotel venue. Carlton and United Breweries (CUB) will then match the purchase and offer people two for one pints when the venues re-open.

CUB chief executive Peter Filipovic said the campaign was a win-win for pubs, clubs and beer lovers.

"Some venues are facing the prospect of never opening their doors again if they don't get cash flow. It is an unprecedented challenge, not even during the world wars or the depression did the pubs close," he said in a statement.

"But we know Australians want pubs and clubs to keep their place at the heart of many local communities once this crisis is over. So if you love your local, or just want to help save the great Aussie tradition of going to the pub, buy a pint of beer in their hour of need."

Participating Warrnambool pubs include the Whalers Hotel and Raffertys Tavern.

Rafferty's Tavern general manager Mark McIlroy said he "really appreciated" the support of CUB.

"The world is a different place at the moment and we are just trying to do the best we can to keep operating and look after our local customers," he said.

"The For the love of Your Local campaign is a good initiative and we thank CUB for all their support. We are happy for their participation to try and promote venues in these times."

Whalers Hotel manager Alister Porter said the campaign gave staff "something to look forward to when we re-open".

"It will hopefully drive everyone back once this downtime is finished and the restrictions are over," he said.

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