Some business owners are selling because of the effects of the drought and others are simply wanting a change.

Annie's Kitchen and Gunnedah Indian Restaurant are just two of many who have been hit by a drop in profits, and are subsequently up for sale.

The Indian restaurant will close on January 11, and its owners are encouraging locals to enjoy one last meal before the final trading day.

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Annie's Kitchen owner Annie McKinnon said she was very sad to see the takeaway shop go, but times were tough running two businesses.

"I have lost a lot of money," Mrs McKinnon said.

"I hope someone can take over Annie's Kitchen, because the shop is very nice. It cost a lot of money to redo."

Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce president Juliana McArthur said she hoped the economy picked up so businesses didn't have to keep making these decisions.

"I understand that small business during a tough time such as this drought ... are going to suffer from fatigue and question whether they're going to stay in a regional area," Mrs McArthur said.

"We want to keep our regional centres busy and vibrant and keep people in towns to keep the economy going and lift our capacity into the future."

Mrs McArthur said opportunists were everywhere, so the businesses could be snatched up by a buyer soon.

"The available pool of people with the cash to go into small business is diminishing, but we do have low interest rates - but we still need to have a good population and good economy to want to invest in our area," she said.

Mrs McKinnon said her other business, Thub Thim Thai, was still going well, and she had introduced a breakfast menu to attract former customers of Annie's Kitchen.

But she said 24 years in business was taking its toll.

"I might leave Thub Thim in two or three years. Seven days a week of work, you can't go anywhere," she said.

The Grand Elixxa Hotel, the Commercial Hotel Curlewis, and Gunnedah Taxis and Cabs Services are also being sold because their owners wanted a change of scenery.

Gunnedah Taxis and Cabs Services owner Jason Bush has put his business up for sale because he's "worn out" and wants to go into "semi-retirement".

"I don't want to exit the industry altogether; I still want to have a bit of input into helping the buyer out, because it's something I do enjoy," Mr Bush said.

"If it does sell, I'd just want some involvement in it, if I could help the person who bought it by doing some casual work."

Mr Bush has been in the taxi business for 12 years and is now looking forward to some time in his caravan.