Business at some of Tauranga's most popular restaurants has plummeted since the Rugby World Cup started, with at least two owners saying patronage has halved and one has had the quietest September in a decade.
Valerie Raux, joint owner of popular Cameron Rd bistro Gold Mela, said she and her husband Giovanni Gerace's restaurant is always busy but since the RWC started their turnover has halved and they have experienced the worst September trading figures in 10 years.
"It's pretty scary as we are always up or steady, we have never been down in 10 years."
At Amphora on The Strand, owner John Harvey also said trade at his restaurant had been down at least 50 per cent since the RWC started.
"It's been an absolute nightmare for us, we're suffering. That is because there is no fan base in Tauranga, nowhere for families to come down to.