RESTAURANT owners are being asked to open their doors on Christmas Day and Boxing Day so hundreds of tourists attending the Australian Jazz Convention have somewhere to eat.
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In a case of awkward timing, Orange City Council’s call for help comes just a week after councillors decided not to support supermarkets opening on Boxing Day, largely due to fears staff would be forced to work and would not be paid penalty rates.
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The 65th Australian Jazz Convention will start in Orange on December 26 and wrap up on December 31.
At least 100 visitors are expected to arrive on Christmas Day, with at least 500 more to follow on Boxing Day.
The two main convention venues, the Orange Ex-Services Club and the Parkview Hotel, will not be open for lunch or dinner on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
At this stage, the only venues to confirm they’ll open on Boxing Day is McDonalds and a few wineries.
“A lot of people arrive on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and will be looking for somewhere they can have lunch and dinner,” Orange City Council industry and skills project manager Tony Boland said.
“They don’t have to be flash three-course dining experiences, but we’ve got people coming from all over Australia and for many this is their first visit to Orange and we would like to make sure they are well fed and looked after.”
There are advantages to opening on Christmas Day and Boxing Day because businesses would be all but guaranteed advanced bookings, Mr Boland said.
Negotiating the holiday shut-down is nothing new for organisers of the Australian Jazz Convention.
It has been held between Christmas and New Years Eve for the last 65 years.
Guests at last year’s event had a wide range of dining options because it was held in Melbourne.
“It is an odd time of year for an outsider, but it was initially held at that time because musicians were less busy after Christmas and over the years the dates have just become tradition,” Australian Jazz Convention convenor Harvey Duff said.
“I know it’s an awkward time for businesses and that their staff like to have it off, but if anyone could be encouraged to open, we will support them.
“They should do reasonably well out of it.”
Any restaurants willing to open are asked to contact Orange City Council.
They will be promoted through the Visitors Information Centre and the Australian Jazz Convention website.
Last week’s decision by Orange City Council not to support major retail chains who apply for individual trading exemptions means each of the city’s supermarkets will remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
bevan.shields@ruralpress.com
