The swimming competition is expected to draw 2500 people to the town.

On Tuesday, the supermarket chain’s regulatory affairs manager, Terry Wendelborn, said he had been advised by Collie Shire Council that the proposal had not received the support of the Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Wendelborn said that because of the chamber’s stance the council had decided against applying to the government for permission to extend the trading hours for the weekend.

But the council’s chief executive officer Jason Whiteaker said yesterday afternoon: “The shire has not rejected the application.

“I discussed this matter with my staff today and the advice I have is that the chamber were unable to provide us with the required support to make the application.

“However, there is a report going to council next Tuesday which recommends council support the extension to the trading hours subject to the chamber being able to provide their support to the proposal within the required timeframes (which is a requirement of the application).”

Coles had wanted to trade on Sunday, March 4, from 10am to 5pm and Monday, March 5 (Labour Day), from 10am to 5pm.

The chamber had circulated all members and advised that their president felt the opening on Sunday was a reasonable request, but he was “opposed to the Monday as most people will be heading home.”

Although members were asked for urgent comment, only five responses were received, with one being strenuously opposed.

In the absence of strong support for the proposal, the chamber opted not to recommend that the council apply for the extra trading hours.