Dougal McGowanMusician Ed Sheeran appears to have inadvertently helped introduce a policy in Dunedin that will allow all retail outlets to open on Easter Sunday. The Dunedin City Council voted 10-5 for the policy at a full meeting yesterday. Concerns about catering for the 60,000 visitors to the city for three Ed Sheeran concerts over the next Easter period, and ensuring retailers make the most of the opportunity, appeared to sway some councillors. Mr Williams said the council had put the interests of retailers hoping to profit from an Ed Sheeran concert before the interests of retail workers. He said while Ed Sheeran was ``a red herring'', the 60,000 people who would come to Dunedin were not.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 11, 2017 16:08 UTC