But while the rest of the world was grappling with the global financial crisis, the factor pushing businesses to the wall in Dubbo was far more familiar. Drought.

After 50 years of service to customers, hardware and rural supplies store Hilton Warman closed its doors on January 31.

Local operators Doug Farmilo and Pat Foley had hoped to hand over the reins but failed to attract a buyer in the 12 months the store was on the market.

In the month leading up to the closure Mr Farmilo said drought had hit their main clients - farmers - hard, negatively impacting their business.

Joyce Mayne was closed down by owners Harvey Norman in July, and Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey gave the store a blunt assessment - it simply didn't make money, and there was no likelihood that it would.

"We can't make money in that store - it didn't trade well as a Retravision store, and it hasn't traded better as Joyce Mayne," he said.

Shanks Trailers also took a heavy blow from the drought.

It went into voluntary administration in October after 35 years of making trailers for cattle trucks, B-doubles and prime movers.

SV Partners regional director Sam Peacocke said at the time that drought and fuel costs were to blame.

Pizza Runners, a local business begun 15 years ago by the Cornerstone religious community, ceased trading on August 30 following a franchise deal with Australia’s biggest pizza company, Domino’s.

Female customers in Dubbo also saw the loss of a number of key businesses.

Julie’s Mainstreet Clothing closed in March, but its sister business, Denise’s Bra and Lingerie, is still trading.

National companies Kays and Kleins in Orana Mall went into voluntary administration, denying locals those shopping opportunities.

Hairdressing business Riverdale Smart Cuts closed its doors at Easter time.

Talbragar Street has also lost two more long-standing businesses in 2008.

Carrington Firearms ceased trading during the year and The Chicken Spot in lower Talbragar closed but is set to reopen with new owners.

In the commercial sector Dubbo said goodbye to real estate agency Brown and Andrews in February.

The Wingewarra Street small business amalgamated with Elders McKeowen Real Estate across the road.

The merge reduced the number of real estate agencies in Dubbo from 11 to 10.

Suncorp announced the closure of its Dubbo branch on the corner of Macquarie and Wingewarra streets, effective July 15.

Finally, as December passed, The Vast Interior was emptying its floors in a closing down sale and the Country Comfort Resort Ashwood hosted its last guests in the final days of 2008.

The well-known pink Ashwood has been sold to make way for a McDonalds Restaurant in West Dubbo.

faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com