A solution is needed to break the stalemate that has left customers dissatisfied after a weekend visit to The Levee.
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A lack of Sunday trading in the revamped section of High Street has made it difficult for families to find somewhere to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea and contribute to the buzz of the exciting new precinct.
The debate about weekend and public holiday trading has ramped up in recent months, particularly with discussion of Boxing Day late last year.
Some traders say the cost of penalty rates on Sundays isn’t affordable and for those who have everything invested in their business, that’s a fair concern.
But if penalty rates are wound back, there will be little incentive for employees to work on Sundays.
In business, any change has a degree of risk, but old argument about central Maitland being devoid of shoppers and diners no longer holds water.
The danger is that the debate will continue, The Levee will remain only partly open on Sundays and people will stop going there.
Many full-time workers don’t have a chance to go shopping or out for a meal during the week.
If weekends are the prime time for businesses to attract people who are looking for something to do, remaining closed on a Sunday is effectively cutting prime business time in half.
Maitland City Council will have pumped $17 million into The Levee when the final stage is complete.
That’s a serious investment in the city and one that appears to be working.
The last thing any stakeholders – council, business owners or workers – want is for the precinct to get a reputation of leaving potential customers dissatisfied.
That could undo all the good work.