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Boxing Day: Shopping success in Freo as summer sizzles

EVEN record-breaking heat didn't deter eager shoppers from the start of post-Christmas sales in Fremantle on Boxing Day.

Starting at 10am, about 300 shoppers gathered outside Myer Fremantle, ready to take advantage of discounts on offer, beating most other metropolitan areas to the punch.

In a break from the established norm, it was the first time the City of Fremantle opened on Boxing Day for retail trade – a move welcomed by Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri.

“It’s something we should have done at least 10 years ago,” he said. “Not everyone wants to sit around watching the Test match and Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race on TV while attempting to fix broken toys.

“In Fremantle, there’s the added attraction of stopping on the cappuccino strip for a bite to eat, a cold beer or a refreshing ice coffee, or going down to Fishing Boat Harbour for something similar, right near the water.

“We also had the free CAT bus service operating and I feel that, despite the extreme temperatures, Boxing Day shopping ultimately proved to be a success for Fremantle.”

The request for Boxing Day trading came from the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce in July and was approved by the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.