MILLICENT traders have strongly supported the status quo ahead of a public meeting on shopping hours in the town tomorrow night.
The management of the IGA supermarket and the Subway store have joined Foster’s Foodland in opposing any moves by the new Liberal State Government to deregulate shopping hours across South Australia.
SA-Best also has a policy of opposing shopping hours deregulation and its two newly-elected MLCs Frank Pangallo and Connie Bonaros have arranged a feedback meeting at 6pm at the club rooms of the Millicent Football Netball Club.
It is widely believed the future of the IGA supermarket would be in jeopardy if deregulation proceeded.
A Subway store has also traded under its roof since its opening seven years ago.
Subway manager Andrea Rehn oversees four other staff at the George Street premises which trades 363 days of the year.
Ms Rehn intends to be present at the open forum.
According to her, no change is needed to Millicent’s shopping hours.
“Deregulation would affect the operations of the Subway store in Millicent,” Ms Rehn said.
“I am opposed to deregulation from both a personal and business point of view.”
The IGA supermarket is one of 19 operated in regional South Australia by Eudunda Farmers Limited, which is chaired by Bill Schuller of Millicent.
Mr Schuller would not be directly drawn on the future of the IGA if deregulation proceeded other than to point to the situation at Naracoorte.
He said the deregulation of shopping hours at Naracoorte several years ago had eventually led to the contraction of three supermarkets back to two.
“I will not be able to attend Friday’s meeting but the company will be represented by our area supervisor Karen Johnston who oversees our supermarkets at Millicent, Bordertown, Kingston and Robe,” Mr Schuller said.
“I have been to a meeting in Adelaide with Mr Pangallo and we had told him that we hope the SA-Best Party votes against the Liberal Party deregulation policy.
“We want to retain the status quo and protect jobs in the city and regional areas including Millicent.
“The smaller stores need protection as the two major players have too much power.”
Mr Schuller said the latest survey by Wattle Range Council in 2016 showed a clear decision not to change shopping hours.
He said it was a “good idea” of SA-Best to hold a feedback meeting on shop trading hours in Millicent.
“They are making a real effort and have a genuine interest in supporting Millicent.”
Under shopping hours legislation dating back to the 1920s, Millicent is in a unique situation of having three of its larger stores regulated.
Foster’s Foodland has been a long-time advocate for the status quo.
The manager of Target Country was not available while Woolworths Millicent manager Ashlee Ferguson declined to comment.
