THE chief executive of the National Retail Association – the group which made the application for Sunday trading in Mount Isa – believes opening an additional day would be good for small businesses and the community.
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Trevor Evans said Sunday trading will bring more opportunities for Mount Isa, and generate more income from the tourists travelling through the city on weekends.
There was evidence to suggest small businesses near the big businesses will also benefit, Mr Evans said. These small businesses which pay more expensive rent because of their proximity to the giants suffer on Sundays when there is less foot traffic.
Mr Evans said big businesses in about 90 per cent of towns in Australia already have Sunday trading.
And in cities in areas like South East Queensland the small businesses near the giants are thriving.
“All the little guys that offer convenience shopping on Sunday are quite prosperous,” Mr Evans said.
Mr Evans said the association needs to be convinced there is a need for retail shopping in Mount Isa and there is a broad range of community support for the change. “We want to see support across all components of the retail sector.”
The views of the giants, small businesses, clubs, landlords and property owners are welcome.
“We have had a fair few expressions of support and have helped to convince us it’s worth running an application,” Mr Evans said.
The commission into Sunday trading will be heard at the Mount Isa courthouse from November 24 to 26.
