Ed Sheeran's Dunedin shows prompt council to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday

December 11, 2017
Ed Sheeran

Dunedin shops will be allowed to open on Easter Sunday when thousands of visitors will be in the city for Ed Sheeran concerts, but a union says it's bitterly disappointed in the move.

Dunedin City Council today voted 10-5 in favour of Easter Sunday trading with the decision to be reviewed 90 days after Easter.

For the first time, all businesses will be allowed to trade on Easter Sunday.

Ed Sheeran's three shows at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 29, 31 and Sunday April 1 prompted the council to review its trading policy to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday.

The policy drew fierce opposition and 54 per cent of the 181 submission received favoured the status quo of not allowing most shops to open, Fairfax reported. Forty-four per cent wanted shops to be able to open.

Jill Bint of First Union said she was "bitterly disappointed" by the move and unions would put pressure on central Government over the decision.

She said workers have lost a holiday and would not be entitled to time-and-a-half and a day in lieu as Easter Sunday is not a public holiday.

Mayor Dave Cull said it was an "exceedingly difficult call to make", given that 60,000 to 90,000 visitors would be in Dunedin over the long weekend.

He warned employers would be "put on notice" if they abused their position to cash-in at the expense of their workers.

About 120,000 people, the same as Dunedin's population are expected to see Sheeran perform across the three shows.

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