Sunday trading back on agenda

Sunday trading is firmly back up for debate at Newman as Woolworths prepares to trial opening on the day traditionally reserved for rest.

Shop owners and managers at the Newman Boulevard Shopping Centre received news of the six month trial with mixed reactions.

A Woolworths’ spokeswoman said the store would trial Sunday trading during the tourist season, beginning May 20. Newman Boulevard centre manager Davyd Hooper said Sunday trading would provide an added convenience for the community, particularly for shift workers.

Whaleback Newsagency manager Sandy Collinson said Sunday trading would be effective at easing the Saturday and Monday morning rushes.

She said she would consider opening for a few hours but didn’t think they would get enough trade to open for the full six hours.

Newman Retravision manager Debbie Staggard Cooper said it would not be viable to open her store for the extended hours.

“Electrical is a specialised field, I need to have trained staff, and to have them work Sundays would mean I would need to give them a day off during the week,” she said.