COLLIE Shire Council could possibly backflip on extended trading hours after receiving a petition signed by 1000 local business owners and residents.
Deli owners Darcy Buckle and Lisa Malatesta fear the council failed to fully consider the economic impact of extended trading hours on local businesses as they battle to remain competitive in the new trading environment.
Amaroo Deli owner Mrs Malatesta, along with the owners of Lindaz Central, Steere Street, Sizzles, Wilson Park, Allanson and Bushies Tucker delis, circulated and submitted the petition urging Collie Shire Council to reverse their decision to extend trading hours.
At last week's council meeting shire executive manager of development services Keith Williams said the huge amount of petition signatures showed genuine concern about the impact of extended trading hours on small businesses.
Collie Auto One co-owner Michelle Smith signed the petition after growing tired of seeing multinational stores slowly eat away at small businesses. "In a town where employment is already low the extended trading hours could result in further job losses," Ms Smith said.
Woolworths and Coles advised the shire they had not offered employment opportunities as a result of extended trading hours, however staff numbers had increased with changes to shifts to provide employees with more working hours.
During the public question time at last week's council meeting Mr Buckle asked council to bring extended trading hours back to 6pm on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7pm on a Friday and closed on public holidays. Councillors have voted to conduct a second survey in April next year which is 12 months from when the hours began.
The survey will ask residents if trading hours should be reduced from 9pm to 8pm or 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
