Napier open for Easter Sunday business

While the majority of stores remained closed, Napier CBD was bustling with people yesterday. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND.

For a second year, Napier retailers flung open their doors to make the most of the CBD being open for business on Easter Sunday.

Napier became the first area in Hawke's Bay where businesses could legally trade on Easter Sunday last year, thanks to a policy passed by Napier City Council.

They were able to do so through changes to the Shop Trading Hours Act, which allowed councils to give retailers the option to open. Before this, trading restrictions prohibited shops from opening - or facing a fine.

Although many stores in the CBD remained closed, those which opened their doors appeared to enjoy a busy day.

Among them was Postie clothing store, where employee Lexi Baxter said business had been "pretty good".

"It's been worth opening, we wouldn't have made any money if we were closed".

She said the mood of customers had been great - everyone seemed relaxed, and in holiday mode.

"I do wish we had more support around town, with more stores opening as well".

Over at Smiggle, keyholder Ally Jackson said they had not been as busy as expected.

"But it's been good opening, we always have a sale on at Easter."

Enjoying a quiet Sunday was Napier resident Suzanne Burrell, who said she had gone into town on Saturday to do some shopping, but had left "because it was too chaotic".

"I came in and thought, 'It's too busy, I'll just come in on Sunday. It's a lot more relaxed today, I can just take my time."

Open cafes and restaurants along the main strip of Napier CBD were doing a roaring trade, with customers spilling out to outdoor seating to make the most of the good weather.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manger Annie Dundas said with a lot of tourists in the region over the weekend, she thought business would be good for those shops which decided to open.

"Easter is always one of our busiest weekends of the year, so it's a bit like a weekend in February. It's worth retailers being open. "It's going to be a great weekend in Hawke's Bay, there's so much on."

The Napier City Council policy only applies to Easter Sunday trading. Stores are prohibited from trading on Good Friday - although some businesses were allowed to remain open such as dairies and service stations, and some cafes and restaurants.

Many businesses in Hastings CBD made the most of this exception on Friday - such as Focal Point Cinema.

Duty manager Julie Maiga said they had been quite busy with customers making the most of their cafe's Easter specials.

"It's been pretty busy for a Friday, we've had quite a few children through," she said, adding with most places closed the movies were a good option for keeping the younger ones entertained.

Last year Paymark figures showed Hawke's Bay enjoyed an 11.7 per cent increase in the value of spending over Easter compared with the same period last year.

The only councils in Hawke's Bay to allow Easter Sunday Trading are Napier and Wairoa.

The Napier City Council's new policy has faced ire from some in the community, with a former councillor even applying for a judicial review at the High Court of the council's decision.