Anniversary Day - open of closed? ODT Graphic.
Otago Anniversary Day will be just like any other day of
the week for most businesses in the region.
The annual public holiday celebrates the establishment of
Otago's provincial government on March 23, 1852.
Despite the date, the anniversary is officially celebrated on
the closest Monday (March 22 this year), but many observe it
at Easter.
Confusion often reigns over which businesses are open on
March 22 and which ones are not. This year is no exception.
The Dunedin City Council, Waitaki District Council and
Central Otago District Council offices are closed, but for
neighbouring Balclutha and Queenstown Lakes District Councils
it is business as usual.
Major retailers throughout the region, and supermarkets will
also be open, as will district courts in Dunedin and
Queenstown.
But in Dunedin, at least, some cafes, bars and restaurants
have opted to remain closed.
The Terrace Bar owner John MacDonald said he would close his
establishment on Monday to carry out much needed maintenance
on the ventilation system at the restaurant-bar.
"We've got to carry out this maintenance, and it's easier to
do it on a statutory holiday," he said.
Ironic Cafe and Bar would also be closed with co-owner Sue
Moller claiming it was not cost effective to remain open.
"Paying lieu days, and finding extra qualified staff to
replace them when they take their lieu days, is too
difficult."
However, Lone Star Cafe and Bar head chef Reuben Hinton said
his establishment would be open, and there would be no
surcharges on meals to help cover increased labour costs.
"It's not worth the aggro. Customers don't like it," he said.
For some Otago school pupils, Otago Anniversary Day will mean
a day off school. But not all school pupils will get to take
the holiday.
A Ministry of Education spokeswoman said Otago Anniversary
Day was considered an official public holiday on the Otago
school calendar, but like businesses and retailers, it was up
to individual schools as to when they would observe it.
- john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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