Despite fighting for the title of Western Australia’s second city, Mayor David Smith told the Bunbury Mail he expected normal trading hours to continue until December 21.

At its September 8 meeting council decided to consult with the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce on how many extra hours they would like to see this Christmas.

The chamber came back with a proposal to keep regular trading times on Sundays throughout the period and late night trading during weekdays would not start until December 21.

Normal trading would resume on December 28 and instead of a late night on New Year’s Eve.

Wednesday December 30 would be a late night.

Kalgoorlie and Perth however have adopted three weeks with late night trading between December 14 and 30, which were proposed for Bunbury.

It was also proposed Bunbury would have an extra hour of shopping on Sundays, closing at 5pm from December 13.

The changes would have created an extra 61 shopping hours had they been accepted.

Ahead of last night’s meeting Mayor Smith said he expected the BCCI’s proposal would be voted in and he would back it if that was what the majority wanted.

However, Mayor Smith said he would have liked to have seen the Perth hours mirrored in Bunbury.

"We may not lose them (shoppers) to Perth but to other shires," Mayor Smith said.

He said Busselton and Mandurah were Bunbury’s biggest retail competitors and the extended trading hours would help the city be seen as the retail centre of the South West.

"It’s the best time for all retailers," Mayor Smith said.

Smaller retailers are supportive of the chamber’s suggested hours.

Others will continue to work their normal hours because they cannot afford to be open for as long as the Perth shopping centres.

Spoilt Miss co-owner Joan Rodgers said it was not viable for her and business partner Bev Huxtable to be open on Sundays as it is and during the Christmas period would only open during regular hours.

Mrs Rodgers said while extra money was nice, spending time with family was more important.

"In a small centre it’s just not worth it," Mrs Rodgers said.