Editorial: Earlier opening serves public

More Eat Streat businesses have decided to open for breakfast.

Eat Streat restaurants that are now extending their opening hours deserve a big pat on the back.

Two more businesses have responded to calls to open for breakfast at the weekends.

At the start of this year, our paper received complaints from locals and visitors that they were wanting to enjoy breakfast or brunch at Eat Streat but only one place was open before 11.30am.

They argued if the council was to spend $2 million developing the area, the least restaurants could do was open earlier to allow people to enjoy it.

The criticism was understandable. Our newspaper spotted several people milling around in the mornings who wanted to spend their money but found the doors closed and chairs chained up to the tables. The only place that was open, Solace Cafe and Restaurant, was doing a roaring trade and there were waits to get a table.

But from the restaurants' points of view, you can understand the logistical issues of having to open at breakfast.

You can't expect staff to work from 7am to late at night, so having breakfast on the menu means employing more staff - including another chef.

But Mac's Food and Wine and Brew Craft Beer Pub have taken the punt and are giving it a go. Other restaurants have said they might follow suit.

They should be congratulated for listening to the criticism.

I went for tea at Eat Streat the other night and made a comment to a waiter that it was nice and busy.

He joked back, "yeah, no matter how many times your paper bags this place, it's still busy".

Although he was having a laugh, it's worth noting this newspaper isn't "bagging" Eat Streat.

I will always support the businesses down there. There is no where else in Rotorua I'd rather have dinner or a drink.

It's also our job to make sure ratepayers' money which has gone into the development is being spent wisely and those who are benefiting are making the most of the opportunity.