AFL eve public holiday costly for business

Only 12 per cent of businesses that opened on AFL grand final eve last year turned a profit, according to a Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey.

The survey, detailed in the Herald Sun, showed many businesses were forced to close on the Friday thanks to large penalty rate payments and a lack of customers.

Five-hundred businesses were surveyed by the chamber, with most saying they wanted the public holiday scrapped.

On average, businesses that stayed open paid $8218 in penalty rates and paid $7768 to staff not to come in.

Next Friday will be the second AFL grand final eve public holiday in Victoria.