“Tourists are flooding into town so as a district we need to start looking at the tourism boom and how it benefits the economy.
“It is hugely important that we open our doors as we need to be able to, as a city, make hay while the sun shines.”
The proposed policy will give retailers a choice, said GDC’s strategic planning manager Reginald Proffit.
“This draft policy would put in place provisions for retailers to choose to trade on Easter Sunday.
“Giving retailers the choice to trade might provide the chance to increase income over the long weekend, and provide a higher level of service to locals and visitors.”
No policy in placeThe council has no Easter Sunday shop trading policy in place.
“Following retailer and community interest the council considered the potential of such a policy in 2016.
“We have since developed this draft policy for consultation.
“We need to know if our community supports an Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy to allow retailers to open on Easter Sunday or if they support the current arrangement for limited trade.”
Zest Cafe owner Davie Campbell wants the policy.
“I don’t open a business to have to close it," he said.
"Tourists are in town over those holidays and it's important, especially in my industry, that we are open.”
Mr Campbell has opened on Easter Sunday but the cost of opening on a public holiday does not make it easy.
“It should be up to each business whether they open, that's why I like the proposed policy.”
The Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 was amended in 2016 to enable councils to decide whether retailers in their districts could open on Easter Sunday.
Restrictions on opening hours can't be made under the new policy, not can it override shop trading provisions in other legislation such as the sale of alcohol.
All shop employees can refuse to work on Easter Sunday without providing a reason to their employer.
Gisborne Chamber of Commerce chief executive Terry Sheldrake believes that the response from members would be around freedom of choice to decide on Easter Sunday trading.
“If someone wants to work or shop over Easter, then it should be their decision.”
In a Gisborne Herald web poll in September 2016, 59% of 298 voters said they were in favour of Easter Sunday trading, and 40% were opposed.
Feedback forms are available online at the GDC website. Feedback closes on January 17 and will help the council decide what the policy should be for Gisborne.
A hearing will be held February/March.
