BUSINESS trading hours in Horsham remain largely unchanged despite the Horsham Cup public holiday next week.
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Horsham Rural City Council voted to move the Melbourne Cup public holiday to the Horsham Cup weekend after a request from the racing club earlier this year.
Horsham Plaza manager Allison Roberts said moving the public holiday had caused confusion among Horsham residents and traders.
“While Kmart, the Reject Shop and Spotlight are open for a full day of trading, the smaller stores are open for less hours than normal,” she said.
“Some businesses are waiting for confirmation from their head office because of the public holiday rates they have to pay on those days.”
Ms Roberts said moving the public holiday would have a major impact on businesses.
She said the holiday was only for the Horsham Rural City Council municipality.
“We are concerned for our shoppers who come from the greater region and not all the stores in Horsham Plaza and within the town are going to be open,” she said.
“Friday is a prime shopping day in the Horsham Plaza and (for) the whole town.”
Horsham Plaza stores open for the Horsham Cup public holiday include Autograph, Strandbags, Noni B, Katies, Lowes and Millers from 11am until 3pm.
NQR Groceries and Your Regional Butcher are open from 9am to 7pm.
Brumby’s will open from 8am to 3pm, Subway from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Spendless Shoes from 10am to 2.30pm, Crossroads and EB Games from 10am to 2pm, Sainty from 9.45 to 5pm and Batches from 9am to 6pm.
Business Horsham’s Wendy Mitchell said the majority of businesses within Horsham’s central business district planned to open on the Horsham Cup public holiday.
She said not all retailers had indicated their decisions, however, the sentiment appeared that most would continue trade.
Mrs Mitchell said it would be hard to determine whether the date change would impact trading.
Batches Locksmith’s Phil Batchelor said the store would maintain existing Friday trading hours despite the public holiday.
“We supply a service and people come into town and expect us to be open,” he said.
Horsham and District Racing Club manager Lisa Inkster said she had high hopes for the Horsham Cup now the public holiday aligned with the local race day.
“We are feeling very positive and the vibe around town has certainly been great,” she said.
She said the club hoped to benefit, however, it was only year one of a three-year arrangement.
Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday across Victoria unless an alternate local holiday has been arranged by the relevant council.
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