Drakes seeks shop trading hours exemption for West Beach store, drawing Treasurer Rob Lucas into new debate

Supermarket supremo Roger Drake has asked for his West Beach Foodland to be exempted from the state’s shop trading laws after a crackdown on non-compliant stores — sparking debate about shop trading hours.

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Supermarket supremo Roger Drake has asked for his West Beach Foodland to be exempted from the state’s shop trading laws after a SafeWork SA crackdown found it exceeded the allowed floorspace.

The request for an exemption by Mr Drake — a staunch opponent of shop trading hours deregulation — has been seized on by Treasurer Rob Lucas to reignite the debate as suburban supermarkets and shopping centres prepare to open on Easter Monday for the first time.

The West Beach store is one of 11 supermarkets given until May 20 to reduce their floor space to less than 400sq m in order to continue extended trading on weekends, after a SafeWork SA audit found they were trading unlawfully. The supermarket currently trades from 7.30am to 10pm seven days a week, but would have to significantly reduce its hours unless it reduced its floor space or received an exemption.

Suburban Adelaide supermarkets with a floor space exceeding 400sq m are only allowed to trade until 9pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturdays, as well as only being allowed to open between 11am and 5pm on Sundays.

Supermarket supremo Roger Drake at his Torrensville Foodland in 2017. Picture: Kelly Barnes

In his application, Mr Drake, pictured, said the floor space had not been altered since he bought the business in 1978 and it would only be “slightly bigger” than 400sq m if it was indeed too big. Mr Lucas has provided temporary exemptions to Drakes’ stores previously but said his advice was that he did not have the power to provide Mr Drake with a permanent exemption.

“As a result, I have written to Mr Drake asking him whether he would reverse his position and now support the Government’s policy which would allow him to open his supermarket when he wanted to,” Mr Lucas said.

Treasurer Rob Lucas

“The irony of this situation — once again — is not lost on me or the Government.”

Mr Drake told The Advertiser he had only asked for an exemption for the West Beach store because of its proximity to the West Beach caravan park.

He said the rules governing floor space were “crazy” because On The Run could trade 24/7 while his smaller supermarkets were cracked down on, and said Boxing Day trading was an “absolute disaster” for his supermarkets that opened their doors.

He said he was “absolutely over” the debate about shop trading hours and would not be involved any longer.

“I don’t care. I know that’s horrible to say but I just don’t care anymore. What will be, will be,” he said. “I’ve fought to the point where I’ve got a blood nose and I can’t fight anymore.”

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