Cafes in Dunedin see a seasonal slowdown over Christmas. (File photo) Photo: 123RF
Cafes in Dunedin struggle to get enough business over the holiday period, one owner says as she prepares to shut two of her businesses temporarily.
Sarah Hussey was the owner of three cafes throughout Dunedin called The Perc, and told Morning Report, she would be shutting two down as it was not worth it financially to stay open.
She said her cafe in the city centre was able to stay open right through the holidays as cruise ships often came through bringing plenty of tourists.
"We've got a real seasonal slowdown over the Christmas period," Hussey said, "unless you're in the central city it's just not worth the staffing numbers to keep it open, so we'll shut down on Christmas Eve."
Hussey said one of the locations was down by Otago University and the other was surrounded by government organisations, meaning both would be quiet over the Summer holidays.
"It's just not worth keeping them open for those three weeks. Just not worth having those staff standing around twiddling their thumbs."
For Hussey, the shutdown period worked, but she noted many businesses could only do it for so long before their bank accounts dried up.
"We make it work but it's definitely a lot quieter here in the Summer."
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