Isn't it time to fully trade on a Sunday?

I can’t help feeling that in the current economic climate, it just may be the right time to repeal the ludicrous Sunday trading hours. In fact I’m surprised that some of the large retail chains allegedly staring at the abyss in the New Year aren’t screaming that exact message from the rooftops. The Act says:

The Sunday Trading Act 1994

A large shop shall not be open on Sunday for the serving of retail customers except as permitted by the provisions of the Sunday Trading Act.
A shop is defined as:

"Any premises where a trade or business consisting mainly of the sale of goods is carried on."

The above Act is restricted to retail shops. Wholesale shops are not covered by the legislation.

The sale of goods does not include:
· the sale of meals or refreshments or intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises
· the sale of meals or refreshments prepared to order for immediate consumption off the premises.

Such premises are not subject to Sunday trading controls.

Small shops are not covered by the legislation if they have a floor area used for serving customers, or for displaying goods, of less than 280 square metres. This is approximately 3015 square feet or an area 55 feet by 55 feet.

This area does not include:
· storerooms
· stockrooms
· canteens
· restrooms
· other areas which the public do not have access to.

There are no restrictions on the hours of opening of small shops on Sundays under the Sunday Trading Act.

Large shops are covered by the legislation if they have a floor area used for serving of customers, or for displaying goods, that exceeds 280 square metres.
Under the Sunday trading restrictions:

· Large retail shops may only open on a Sunday for a single, continuous period of up to six hours between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m
· Large shops opening on a Sunday must display a public notice of their Sunday opening hours.
· Large shops may not open at all for the serving of retail customers on Easter Sunday or Christmas Day if it is a Sunday.
· Customers on a Sunday must have left the shop not later than half an hour after the closing time.

Exemptions
· farm shops selling mostly their own produce
· shops selling mainly intoxicating liquor
· shops selling mainly motor or cycle supplies or accessories
· pharmacies open only for the selling of medicinal products or medical or surgical appliances
· petrol filling stations
· stands used for retail sales at exhibitions
· some other retail shops (e.g. airport shops)

The maximum penalty under this legislation is a fine of £50,000


Now while I accept that there were concerns raised over jobs some 2 years ago when a review was last discussed, things are a whole lot different now and retail jobs aren’t just threatened they are being lost! In 2006 it was argued that repeal would generate an extra £1.4bn for the UK economy.

The Keep Sunday Special Campaign argue that full Sunday trading would lead to an "erosion of family life", but so does unemployment.


nick