Glyn Lewers: Queenstown Mayor on the price increase for alfresco dining

Hospitality owners are getting hit with a large bill for outdoor dining.  Queenstown District Council's increased its alfresco dining fees after pausing rises during the pandemic.  One hospitality business has seen their per square-metre cost rise from $160 to $600.  Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers told Mike Hosking that $600 is 30% of the rental rate of the CBD, which is a standard industry practice shared by other cities such as Christchurch.   He says rates haven’t been increased since 2006, and after pausing the plans for Covid, they’re now picking them back up.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.