March 25, 2011
The Government has decided not to go ahead with plans to allow councils to decide whether to allow large retail stores to open for extended hours on Sundays.
The Government was considering the change in the law to boost employment and trade, particularly in poorer urban areas. However, its concern over vociferous objections from Christian interest groups, small shopkeepers and trade unions has caused it to shelve the proposals.
At present, under the Sunday Trading Act 1994, small shops of an area of less then 280 square metres can set their own Sunday opening hours, provided that they adhere to special employment rights but larger stores can only open for a continuous period of up to six hours between 10am and 4pm on Sundays. Larger stores are also prohibited from opening on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
A few types of larger shop are exempt from the rules and are allowed to stay open for longer. These include off-licences, registered pharmacies, airport, railway and service station shops, exhibition stands, shops selling motor supplies and farm shops.
Significant fines can be imposed for breaching the Sunday trading rules.
For further advice on laws affecting retail businesses, please consult a solicitor.
