Trading on Easter Sunday will be allowed for all businesses in the Clutha District after the council voted in an extraordinary meeting to change the law.
The Clutha District Council met in a full extraordinary meeting yesterday to discuss a proposed change to the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy.
The council approved the change despite three of the four public submissions on the draft opposing the change.
Cr Geoff Blackmore argued against the policy change to allow Easter Sunday Trading by all businesses.
He said it was mainly cafes which benefited from being allowed to trade and were already permitted to do so.
"They are the ones that service the tourists the most."
It was identified in the meeting agenda that allowing trade for all businesses would better reflect the needs of the tourism and retail industries.
Cr Blackmore did not think a business excluded from trading on Easter Sunday would be affected by an additional trading day in the year.
Cr John Cochrane did not think it was up to the council to say whether or not a business could open. A business had every right to choose not to operate.
He said the law, based on Christian beliefs, was archaic.
Employees would have protection and could not be penalised if they elected not to work the Easter Sunday. Employers must notify employees of their right to refuse to work on the Easter Sunday between eight and four weeks prior.
The council elected to adopt the Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy.Trading by all businesses will now be allowed on Easter Sunday in the Clutha district.
Easter Sunday falls on April 16 this year.
