Previously banned until 1pm, the restrictions on retailers including supermarkets now won’t be lifted until midnight.
Retailers who have exemptions – such as cafes, restaurants, chemists and newsagencies – can continue to trade all day.
Family Hair & Beauty Salon Granville manager Sonita Rena would normally be working on the day to cater for clients who have more time to have their treatments done on weekends and public holidays.
“But I think this will be good for everyone,” she said.
“Spend the time with family and think about what the day means.”
Frank La Malfa of Ray White La Malfa Group Berala, said that as a real estate agent, he was accessible to clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We will have the office closed and don’t mind at all, it’s only one day of the year but that probably won’t stop the phone calls which I even get on Christmas Day,” he said.
Likewise, A Bargain Gardener Lidcombe’s Terry Jones says he will be affected since it’s a normal work day for him.
“But what can you do, it’s just one day of the year we’ll have to stop,” he said.
All Care Locksmiths Lidcombe’s Tony Douglas says he always closes on Anzac Day anyway but his emergency service will still operate.
“It’s definitely a good thing, it’s the one day of the year when everybody should stop and think,” he said.
Wholesale Used Cars Granville’s Shaf Ahmed said Anzac Day was always a busy day.
“We get a lot more customers when people have the day off,” he said.
“This means we will have to shut our doors but it certainly won’t stopping people turning up and window shopping.”
Grant from Grant Fyvie Electrical Auburn, says he’s never worked on Anzac Day.
“That day is sacred,” he said.
Granville’s Vietnam Veterans Federation Secretary Ron O’Connor applauds the move.
“We’re very happy, it should’ve happened a long time ago,” he said.
Cumberland RSL Sub-branch President Matt Jones said we have been confusing convenience with appropriateness when it comes to Anzac Day.
“It’s a day to take a pause and reflect on the loss of life and suffering in times of war,” he said.
“That should be our only priority.”
Premier Chris Minns said for Australians, no occasion could be more solemn or significant than Anzac Day.
“It might be inconvenient for a few hours, but closing our biggest corporate shops for a single day is a small price to pay for living in a free and open democracy,” he said.
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