After consulting with the public, the Waitaki District Council appears ready to continue restrictions on Easter Sunday trading in the district.
The council's proposal to lift restrictions on Easter trading received 150 submissions in October, 73% of which were against the proposal to change the status quo.
The council heard submissions on November 1 and councillors considered submissions at a closed-door workshop on November 8.
Last week, the council published a report that showed it will be recommending council not adopt its draft Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2017, when a formal decision is made at an extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday.
The report, from council customer services group manager Lisa Baillie, summarised the position of those against the draft proposal.
Employees would lose a guaranteed day off; there was a need to retain time for rest, family and religious and cultural activities; and despite protections in the Act, employees could feel obliged to work, it says.
The 27% of submitters who wanted to adopt a policy lifting restrictions argued in favour of the importance of free enterprise, tourism opportunities and said there were protections for those who did not wish to work on the day.
