Retailers expect busy Boxing Day as cruise ship docks

people would be in the CBD for Boxing Day sales. There was also a cruise ship in Picton that would bring people to Blenheim, he said.

‘‘We also want to prepare ourselves for the four cruise ships in a row that are coming into town starting from Boxing Day,’’ he said.

Blenheim’s Number 4 Boutique manager Cheri Baker said Boxing Day had become a consumer-driven day, so it was important they opened.

Blenheim’s Brooklyn Burgers and Public House would be open but Yardbar would be closed.

‘‘I am expecting it to be busy and lots of people coming through town,’’ said Joe Johnson, who owns the three establishments.

Cafe Cortado, Seabreeze, Oxley’s Bar, Le Cafe and Jolly Roger, all in Picton, will be open on Boxing Day. Le Cafe was also open on Christmas Day.

Employee Ella Schoni said they wanted to provide service for those who did not have a home at Christmas.

With the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice docking in Picton on Boxing Day, the majority of Picton cafes will open. Oxley’s employee Letitia Leonard said they had already taken ‘‘lots of bookings’’.

Some businesses have chosen to close, saying it was important employees could spend time with their families over the Christmas and New Year period.

Blenheim’s Ritual cafe owner

Julie Macdonald said it was good for her staff to have a holiday and had chosen to close from Christmas Day to January 2.

Blenheim’s Herb and Olive owner Richard Barton said it was important to spend Boxing Day with family, so he had chosen not to open. Watery Mouth, Little Cafe on Charles, Goodhome in Blenheim and Vines Village in Rapaura are also all closed.

Little Cafe on Charles owner Sharon Evans said Christmas was the only time they could fully spend with family.