Newspaper Article – Havelock frustrated

Havelock frustrated

Havelock North Business Association president Michael Poppelwell said despite several attempts to encourage more stores to open all day Saturday only about 12, including dairies and supermarkets, remained open past 1pm.

“I’d stay open until 4pm if we could get enough others, but without that it’s not worth it.”

He had tried all day Saturday opening for his own shop for six and 12-month periods in the past, but without others open too, creating an atmosphere, there was not enough in it. “We tried a few months ago to get 30 shops to open all day, but there weren’t enough to justify the cost of organisation and advertising,” he said.

Early this year the association also considered pushing for members to open for a few hours across midday on Sunday, but dismissed the idea as unworkable if even Saturday afternoon trading was not supported.

Mr Poppelwell said the resistance grew from shopowners’ unwillingness to sacrifice their time.

“Most are small independent operators running the business themselves, so longer hours interrupt their family life. If they employ others to do it, that’s extra cost that has to be covered. It seems to take 12 months to establish yourself as a seven-day trader and they’re reluctant to suffer the pain for that time.

“It is disappointing when you want to try to move on, but can’t get anyone to move with you because they’re thinking of their own convenience.”

Thorp’s Fashion Centre in Havelock North has opened until 4pm on Saturdays since longer weekend hours were first authorised.

Owner Clare Michau said she maintained a strong commitment to Saturday trade despite seasonal variations. “I feel quite strongly that if you’re going to do it you should do it consistently,” she said.

More people now worked on Saturday’s too and so were not free to go shopping. But Mrs Michau said she felt no inclination to extend her hours to Sunday too.

Photo caption – Mr Poppelwell outside his shop in Havelock North.