to open their doors after the Christmas holiday -- or face missing out on two busy trading days.

The Chamber of Commerce yesterday confirmed local merchants were not happy with the situation and talks were underway with Government officials to resolve it.

The problem arises with Monday and Tuesday, December 27 and 28 being declared official public holidays, because Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the weekend this year.

And a recent Public Holidays Act amendment suggests that any time a public holiday falls on a weekend, Monday or Tuesday should be declared an official public holiday in lieu, Chamber Ms Carolyn Mello explained.

In the past, however, if a public holiday fell on a Saturday or Sunday, Bank and Government workers would be given "the unofficial day off'' on Monday, she said. But retail staff would be required to work, for normal pay, as they had their Saturday off.

Most retail shops are open on Saturday, she noted.

In the event of an official public holiday, stores without special holiday licences are required to get operating permits from Government, she said.

According to store size, they can cost anywhere from $200 up, Ms Mello said.

Stores are also required by law to pay unionised staff time and a half. And it is understood there are limitations on how much of a store can be opened up to shoppers.

The Chamber of Commerce is seeking clarification on the Act and hopefully a waver from Government on merchants' behalf, Ms Mello said.

"If stores don't open they will lose two big trading days,'' she said.

"Merchants can get special permits easily enough -- though at some expense.

The real issue is the amendment's implications. Is this going to happen every time a holiday falls on a weekend? "If so, there are serious implications for the merchants. If we get a waiver for the permits this year, that will only solve half the problem.'' Ms Mello said she believed the amendment was made a few years ago but did not come into effect until this year.

It is understood to have been aimed at helping small businesses. The manager of Astwood Dickinson jewellery store said he was planning to open doors on the Tuesday, but did "not feel in this day and age one should have to pay for an operating permit. We would prefer not to have to.'' Holiday outcry H.A. & E. Smith president Mr. Roger Davidson was "not too happy'' about the situation either.

"The retail business is already suffering enough,'' he said. "All this red tape makes it even more difficult.'' Cecile's manager Mrs. Judy Baum said it would cost a few hundred dollars to open on the Tuesday.

"We have to open because all the other stores will probably open too,'' she said. "And it's a busy period because usually when stores have been closed for a few days people want to come out and shop, and they may have things to change.'' Mr. Reid Young of the Phoenix group said his stores would not be affected because they had special holiday licences.

Cabinet secretary Mr. Leo Mills could not be reached for comment and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul was not familiar with the amendment.