WIMMERA businesses are preparing themselves for a rough AFL grand final eve, with politicians, business owners and managers declaring the public holiday could hurts country traders.
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Horsham Plaza manager Allison Roberts said during 2015, the first year it was instated by the state government, shops saw a downturn in traffic.
“It’s unfortunate businesses have to occasion extra wages,” she said.
“For last year’s public holiday we had 4300 through the doors, which was quieter than a normal Friday.
“It’s difficult enough for businesses.
“We all have to work hard to make a dollar and this puts another layer on.”
Mrs Roberts said the public holiday didn’t benefit regional areas.
“I think it’s more of a city-based event where people go football parade.
“It’s unfortunate for us, we’d prefer not to have it.”
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy slammed the public holiday saying it cost Victorians $898 million, with rural businesses disproportionally affected.
“The large majority of Wimmera businesses will suffer,” she said.
“The mind boggles as to how much this frivolous public holiday is costing our economy.”
Stawell Newsagency is contractually obligated to open on public holidays to deliver papers, but owner Denise Pappin said staying open would hurt the business.
“We cannot not sell those products,” she said.
“We have got no option and this is right across the state not just here.
“We have four permanent staff having a holiday that day sitting at home.
“We then have to employ three casual staff to work from 3am to take the place of two of them.”
Mrs Pappin said businesses in Stawell’s Main Street were mostly closed for the public holiday last year.
“There is the situation of not opening for a length of time because no one else does,” she said.
“Half the town will go away.”