Rebel retailer vows to continue opening Berwick clothing store despite COVID-19 restrictions

A Melbourne retailer facing a $10,000 fine for trading during lockdown has vowed to continue defying the rules by opening again tomorrow.

Harry Hutchinson copped a $9913 fine for opening his shop Harry's Clothing in Berwick, in Melbourne's outer south-east yesterday, despite COVID-19 restrictions being in place.

Mr Hutchinson said he had no choice, as if he did not open, he would end up broke.

Mr Hutchinson said his act of defiance was for "every small business out there".

"The reason why I opened is I wouldn't have been here by the end of October," he told 3AW's Neil Mitchell this morning.

Mr Hutchinson has refused to pay a fine, believing small businesses should be able to trade.

"I'm going to fight this until the end. This is my life."

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Police were patrolling outside the man's shop today.

However, Mr Hutchinson said he was only open for click and collect, as he had "virtually sold out" of stock over the past two days.

"I've never seen anything like it," he said.

"I will be reopening."