An 11th-hour amendment to the law stopped supermarket chain Lidl from opening on Good Friday after the director general of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, Vince Farrugia, complained this day should be kept holy. David Schembri skulked around a Lidl parking lot to ask clients what they feel about Good Friday shopping.
Italo Sultana, 31, from Paola
I work at a greengrocer’s; we work Monday to Sunday and when a feast day comes along we look forward to it. We either get paid double or if it’s a big feast like Christmas and Good Friday we have a day off. I would have definitely come to shop if I needed anything... for example in our neighbourhood, confectioneries opened but I didn’t buy anything. I can’t see why Lidl wasn’t allowed to open. I believe that shops, especially those for which daily rent is being paid, should be allowed to open. I can’t see why there are all these restrictions.
Frank Delmar, 52, from Buġibba
I would have definitely come to shop, plus it’s cheap here. There were a lot of shops open and in Buġibba all of them were. Why shouldn’t they be? Everyone has to make a living, especially people like these, selling stuff cheaply.
Salvu Saliba, 63, from Żurrieq
If you need something, you have to think ahead. It’s a good thing that shops don’t open on public holidays... but it depends. On Good Friday and Christmas, I don’t think they should... but it’s no problem if they open if they want to. One should plan ahead, that’s what I think.
Anna Micallef, 51, from Rabat
I wouldn’t have come to do any shopping. It doesn’t make sense, it’s a public holiday. I didn’t go anywhere to shop on Friday. I don’t think shops should open on public holidays, especially on Good Friday; Jesus would be dead, it’s not good. I would think ahead for my purchases.
Antonella Chouhal, 35, from Safi
I would have obviously come shopping, had it been open. It’s better for me if they open on public holidays. I didn’t buy anything on Friday because no shops were open. Shops should always be open, especially on Sundays and public holidays, as people don’t work on those days and have more time to shop.
Yana Bernard, 40, from Siġġiewi
Sure, we would have come, because usually at these times you would need things and nowhere is open. It would be great to be able to shop. (Last Friday) I needed butter for baking but I couldn’t find it anywhere, and my child wanted some sweets – you know how they are. I agree shops should open on public holidays.