Business leaders in Birmingham have greeted with dismay the extra bank holiday created by the royal wedding.
Birmingham's Chamber of Commerce said the vast majority of its members feared the extra holiday on April 29 would hit their businesses at a time of continuing economic uncertainty.
And, with research showing bank holidays cost an average of £6 billion, the Chamber called the move to make the wedding day an official holiday “unwise.”
Policy adviser Ross Gurdin said: “While our members are pleased for Prince William and Kate Middleton, two-thirds fear a bank holiday will negatively impact their businesses against seven per cent who feel a bank holiday will boost profits.
“It is estimated each bank holiday costs the economy £6 billion so we feel that – in these trying economic times – it would be unwise to create this additional burden on business.”
The extra day off means many workers will enjoy two long weekends separated by a three-day working week at the end of April.
The four-day Easter weekend, taking in bank holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday, stretches from April 22 to 25.
Then, after just three days back at work, there will be another four-day weekend from April 29 to May 2, taking in the Royal Wedding and the May Day bank holiday.
