More than 100 people have say on Easter Trading policy

PHOTO/FILE

More than 100 Rotorua residents have had their say on whether local retailers should be given the choice to open on Easter Sunday - with a final decision set to be made by the end of next month.

Submissions closed at 4pm today on the Rotorua Lakes Council's Easter Sunday Shop Trading policy, with 121 lodging submissions.

Of those 78 were in support of giving businesses the option, while 43 did not support this and wanted doors to remain shut.

Eight submitters have asked to be heard in person and that hearing will take place this Friday.

The following Thursday - February 9 - the council's Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee will make a recommendation to the full council which will then make a final decision on February 27.

The council has been calling for submissions on its proposed policy since councillors voted to consult the public late last year after the Government amended the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 to allow local councils to have a policy to permit shops to open on Easter Sundays.

The changes do not apply to Good Friday, for which current trading restrictions will remain, and would apply across the entire district.

Most shops in Rotorua cannot open on Easter Sunday, with the exception of dairies, service stations, takeaway outlets, restaurants and cafes, garden centres and duty free stores.

The council has previously stated if the decision was to permit shops to open, it would take effect from this Easter.