Anzac planning worries local business

Albany business owners are in limbo with concerns about a lack of information on Anzac commemorative events only four months out from the start of the Anzac centenary.

Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Russ Clark said businesses did not know where to get information from as there was no centralised body planning the commemoration.

"The weeks keep ticking by and a lot is still yet to be known," he said.

"It is hard for businesses to plan until some questions are answered - traffic management, where toilets are located, how many people to expect.

"Then businesses can plan shifts, how many sittings, staff, whether they have enough storage, have ordered enough toilet paper."

He said the chamber was researching how many people the CBD could cater for and whether businesses would be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner because no other group was conducting the research.

"Also an issue is traffic management, people being able to get produce in and out past the road closures expected," he said.

Rustlers Steakhouse and Grill owner Dean Oorschot said there had not been enough information given to businesses about the commemoration.

"We will open for lunch if we need to; we just don't know how many people to cater for," he said.

Venice Restaurant owner Guy Lembo said the establishment would explore options during the period including putting out extra alfresco tables, but did not know whether it would be allowed.

Meanwhile, Studio 146 owner Malcolm Pages said he was turned down to host a four-night concert zone in the Drovers carpark, claiming he lost bookings with high calibre acts Xavier Rudd, The Waifs, San Cisco and Seth Sentry as a result.

"It is a commemoration but there will still be at least 20,000 people here who won't be able to do something after 9.30pm," he said.

"Both nightclubs will be full, the pubs will be full and based on crowds at Christmas and Easter, there will be around 2000 people with nothing to do at night."

City of Albany deputy chief executive Garry Adams said it was important to remember the Anzac Albany event program was a commemoration, not a celebration.

"Existing late night venues will presumably be operating during the Anzac Albany event program, but further late night options as part of the official event program may not necessarily fit in with the theme and tone of the overall Anzac centenary commemorations," he said.

Mr Adams confirmed the Stirling Terrace Mess Hall, which is expected to have a 1500-person capacity and will be open until 10pm from Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 2, would mostly include local stallholders.

He said expressions of interest for market stalls close on Friday while for catering stalls, the deadline is June 20.