Sunday trading plans ‘harmful’
A body representing small shop owners has said changes to Sunday trading laws could be “harmful”.
The changes are expected to be part of chancellor George Osbourne’s budget on Wednesday, when it is anticipated he will hand over powers for retail trading times to local authorities or mayors.
Currently large stores are banned from staying open longer than six hours on a Sunday.
In Northern Ireland, large shops are limited to a maximum of five hours between 1pm and 6pm, while no opening restrictions apply to stores under 280 square metres.
Under Mr Osborne’s plans, powers to extend these hours will be handed over to either local mayors or local authorities, depending on the outcome of a consultation.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said it is opposed to the plans, warning they were “complicated, ineffective at increasing trade, and posed a threat to the livelihoods of convenience store owners”.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said the current arrangements offered one of the few advantages for smaller stores over their larger rivals.
“Giving local authorities the responsibility for setting Sunday trading hours will lead to inconsistency and confusion for businesses and shoppers,” he said.
“In areas where large stores’ trading hours are extended, we will simply see the same amount of trade spread over more hours and shifting from small stores to large stores.
“Existing Sunday trading laws are a popular compromise that balance the needs of consumers, shopworkers, small stores and families.
“The short period of time that small stores are open while large stores are shut is a crucial advantage for convenience stores, most of which are owned by small businesses.”
