Business Victor Harbor wants the Cit of Victor Harbor to consider holding next year’s Schoolies Festival in a different location within the town.

Currently the event is held in Warland Reserve, between the top of the main street and the foreshore.

Executive Officer of Business Victor Harbor Colin Shearing told ABC Radio the board absolutely supports Schoolies but not at the cost of small businesses.

“These brick and motar businesses down there (around Warland Reserve) pay a cost, if you like, when Schoolies’ events take place and all we’re asking is that we would like it to be considered to be relocated from 2023.”

He says they would also like a key stakeholder engagement plan to be produced where each stakeholder could work through the issues.

Mr Shearing also suggests that there could be opportunities for local businesses to provide some of their services at the new location.

He says there are several suggestions for an alternative location, including the Victor Harbor Oval, but that was something that should be determined by the key stakeholders. 

“Let’s engender the spirit of working together as a community.

“We all need to be at the table, not just a select few, and the business community which drives the local economy down there need to be engaged. Particularly the bricks and mortar businesses that are adjacent to the current location.”

“We just don’t want to see that come at a cost and it has come at a cost and there are even businesses who close their doors for this event, which is not on.”

He says fast-food outlets and accommodation would continue to boom but a move would benefit the hospitality outlets and hotels in the precinct who find their customers stay away during the Schoolies event.

The official Schoolies Festival is run by Encounter Youth. The 2022 Schoolies event will be held at Warland Reserve from 25-27 November.