As the sunshine comes out, should businesses stay open later?

Vincent Page, of Antiques on High, celebrates one year in business. Picture: Antiques on High (Image: Archant)

As we seem to be blessed with the return of the large orange object in the sky, is it worth opening later during the summer months?

Late night opening has usually been the reserve of freezing cold days in December, however with the weather (hopefully) now turning in our favour, surely we must consider whether it’s worth staying open later on selected days of the week during the seasonal months.

With many visitors soon to descend on the town, taking every opportunity to increase our turnover may well involve longer days, when at least the weather is a little more amiable and the nights not so dark.

This could provide a real boost to the income, when outgoings and expenses are at a minimum without the need for heaters at full tilt as we giddily pre-empt the electricity meter spinning round faster than anyone wants to see.

“I spend enough of my live in that place I’m not spending any more time there” is a justifiable response from those who feel that this may be a step too far, but will they be the same people who complain bitterly if their business fails?

As some may consider this to be a rhetorical question, it is a consideration none the less and there will always be those who feel as though it is not viable from a financial perspective but having just endured a long slow winter and let’s face it a slow start to the year, innovation may become our salvation.

With far more daylight at our disposal the thought of staying open until 8pm or 8.30pm is inevitably not something that appeals too much, especially if you have been at work since 7am, but quite simply if that’s what it takes then the choice may rest firmly at your door even if that door stays open a little longer for a few days a week.