Concern over Sunday trading plan for Preston Market

PRESTON Market could soon open all weekend, with plans to introduce Sunday trading from September 3.

Preston Market Traders advocate Manny Spiteri says Sunday trading would hurt stallholders. Picture: David Smith

PRESTON Market could soon open all weekend, with plans to introduce Sunday trading from September 3.

But some traders say working the extra day would be disruptive and costly.

Market manager Chris Giannopoulos said the move to a five day trading week would boost revenue and ensure the ageing market remained competitive.

“Many people, particularly younger shoppers, are now doing their grocery shopping on a Sunday and we want to give them an opportunity to do that at Preston Market,” he said.

Preston Market Traders advocate Manny Spiteri said traders were against the move.

“The costs involved in opening on Sunday are prohibitive,” he said.

Management sent a letter to traders on March 17 advising them of the proposed opening hours. The letter offered a 12-month “rent holiday” for the extra day to compensate traders for the change.

A Leader survey conducted last Thursday found shoppers overwhelmingly supported Sunday trading, with traders expressing mixed feelings.

Reservoir woman Mary Sakovski said she would love to bring her children to the market on Sundays.

A long-term fresh produce trader, who asked to remain anonymous, said the move would effectively create a seven-day working week.

“We work Monday and Tuesday cleaning and stocking. Sunday is the one day I get to spend time with my kids,” he said.

But an apparel trader said the change would bring in more customers.

“Retail is down, so as long as (market management) advertises Sunday trading properly, I’m for it 100 per cent,” he said.

Mr Giannopoulos said management had chosen September 3 to give traders time to adjust.

“We’re confident Sunday trading will benefit both traders and customers, but we will be talking to traders in the coming weeks about any concerns they may have,” he said.