07 July 2006

FSB welcome unchanged Sunday trading laws

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the announcement that Sunday trading laws will remain unchanged.

The FSB had argued that any relaxation of the laws would be highly damaging for the future of small, independent retailers, who are already under the greatest financial and operational strain in the retail industry.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling made the announcement following a consultation that revealed strong opposition to any change in the rules on Sunday trading for large stores.

The law forbids retail outlets with more than 3,000 square feet of trading space from opening for more than six hours on Sundays, giving small shops a vital advantage in their struggle to compete with supermarkets and large retail chains.

FSB Policy Chairman, Wilfred Mitchell, said: “Small, independent shops offer consumers personal service, value for money, specialist products, diversity and variety. They would be sorely missed if they were allowed to be driven out of business by unfair competition from supermarkets and retail chains.

“Any relaxation in the law would have put immense pressure on many small shops already open for over 60 hours a week in a bid to compete with multiple retailers. It is great news that the Government has listened to the views of small businesses on this issue.

“Keeping the Sunday trading laws as they are will go some way to protecting independent retailing and ensuring that this important sector of the Northern Ireland economy is protected,” he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry recently undertook a review to see if there was a need to change the laws.

Mr Darling said: "With the Sunday trading laws having been in place for many years, it was important that we looked at whether they were still appropriate.

"As part of our review we commissioned an independent cost benefit analysis and sought a wide range of views on the subject in an informal consultation.

"We received nearly 1,000 responses to the consultation from consumers, religious groups, employees and business, with no substantial demand for change. On that basis, and having considered all the evidence from the review, we have concluded there should be no change to the Sunday trading laws."

The Sunday Trading Act 1994 limits the opening of large shops - those shops over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft to only six continual hours between 10am and 6pm.

Larger shops must also close on Easter Sunday. However, small shops have no restrictions on opening.

There are no restrictions on Sunday shopping hours in Scotland.

(SP/GB)