Marlborough District Council Media Statement

Shops can open Easter Sunday

The Marlborough District Council has confirmed that shops may open for business this Easter Sunday, in time for this Easter’s Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow. Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said the decision is common sense for a tourist region like Marlborough.

The Easter holiday is one of the busiest tourist periods in the district with heavy demand for food and services. Every second year the three-day air show brings thousands of visitors into the region.

In the wake of a law change enabling councils to introduce their own policies regarding shops opening on Easter Sunday, the Council last year proposed that shops be able to open their doors. Trading restrictions would remain in place for Good Friday.

Submissions on a change to Council policy were received last year; 11 supporting the change and eight in opposition. A Council subcommittee considered the submissions and recommended that Council alter its policy so that shops may open for the day. Existing labour laws will still apply, protecting the right of shop employees to refuse to work on that day.

The new policy was ratified at Thursday’s Council meeting.

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