Bendigo businesses continue to weigh the pros and cons when it comes to opening on public holidays.
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Customers on social media commented on a lack of eateries open on New Year’s Day and Christmas but it is a tough decision for business owners and managers to make.
Favourite Flavours owner Steve Virtues resolutely opens his business every public holiday while Basement on View manager Steve Coles weighs each public holiday on its merits.
“It’s a very fine line,” Mr Virtue said. “We were busy on (Boxing Day and New Years Day) but it’s very hard for businesses in hospitality and retail to support those public holidays purely because of (increased) hourly rates.
“My staff are on just under $48 an hour (on public holidays). We were non-stop (on New Year’s Day) but didn’t make money. We are dealing with smaller unit sales – it takes a lot of six dollar ice creams to make $50 an hour.”
Mr Coles didn’t open Basement on View on recent public holidays but did on the days between Boxing Day and New Year.
“We normally close between Christmas and New Year but stayed open those days because the Bendigo Art Gallery had exhibitions on,” he said.
“It was a worthwhile venture but like most people, we want a day off (on public holidays), so we took that opportunity.
“New Year’s Day is one of those thing where it's marginal. You need enough (customers) to justify the costs. Your break even point – including wages, rent, electricity, food and other charges – difficult to achieve without a certain level of turnover.”
Australia’s Day is Victoria’s next public holiday with the day falling on Saturday, January 26, but the holiday falling on Monday, January 28.
Both days are sure to be busy for Favourite Flavours which overlooks Lake Weeroona.
“Saturday is the festival at Lake Weeroona but we are still open Monday which is the public holiday,” Mr Virtue said.
“We made that commitment but were nearly not going to. How can you have an ice cream shop that doesn’t open on public holidays?
“They way I look at public holidays is that it is a service to the public. It’s all about giving back to the community. If all retail does is take from community and give nothing back, then you don’t have a community.”
Basement on View won’t open on Australia Day but is planning to open over Easter.
“Part of the reason is the unknown factor of the trade you do, knowing you have an increase in costs,
“With the Easter festival there is (usually) enough people justify the costs and wages you have to pay staff.
“Being based in View Street, you get the traffic of people, the parade and a lot (events) in town. But as an employer it’s difficult for a normal weekend public holiday where you can pay staff more than $50 an hour.
“We also trade the other 350 days of the year, so (public holidays) are a time for me, staff and the owners to take a break.”
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