Shoppers wanting to enjoy a few extra hours of retail therapy can browse the boutiques until 7.30pm.

Customers can enjoy a mix of stylish sales, exclusive offers and new season’s stock while sipping a glass of bubbly as part of the Winter Weekends festival.

Business owners said some stock would be heavily reduced with clothing and boots reduced by 50 per cent or more.  

Love Her Madly owner Rachael Street said the late-night shopping and Winter Weekends was great for the town. “We’re excited,” Ms Street said. “We’re going to have some champas, lots of bargains, it’s going to be a good vibe.

“It’s going to be awesome. It will be good fun too. I feel really lucky to have a shop in Port Fairy and be able to be involved in it.” 

Decked Out on Bank retail assistant Leiza Clifton said the extra opening hours allowed people working in Warrnambool, visitors to the town and those dining at nearby restaurants to browse the shops. “We welcome it and think it’s really great,” Mrs Clifton said. If The Shoe Fits and Isabella’s co-owner Fiona Kavanagh said the shops would be warm, despite the wintery weather. 

“I think it’s a great idea,” Mrs Kavanagh said. “Having it combined with the Winter Weekends is a bonus. I think most businesses are participating, not just the women’s boutiques.” 

Le Crepe Man owner Mark Price will have a chocolate fountain, sweet treats, warming winter soups and casseroles. "We’re going to give Friday night a shake,” he said. “It’s almost like a Christmas in July feel, where you can offer loads of warming hearty appeal, people walk along and there’s lots of lights, there’s music, there’s hot drinks, the shops are open and they can have a browse around,” he said. 

For more festival program information go to portfairywinterweekends.com.au