Retail trade union Usdaw and industry body Retail NI have criticised Belfast City Council's latest consultation on extending Sunday trading hours, describing it as a distraction from more pressing challenges facing the retail sector.

The consultation, which closes on 14 May, has drawn opposition from Usdaw, which said it will once again submit a firm objection to any extension of Sunday opening times for large stores.

Usdaw General Secretary Joanne Thomas expressed frustration that the issue continues to resurface despite being reviewed multiple times in recent years.

"Usdaw is disappointed that the issue of extended Sunday trading hours in Belfast is yet again being discussed by the City Council. This was reviewed last year, in 2024, 2020, 2017 and numerous times before that. On all of those occasions, it was determined that such an extension is not the right move. Usdaw has repeatedly fully committed to working with Belfast City Council and others to support and improve the retail experience at the weekend and for tourists. Repeatedly considering extending Sunday trading hours is a distraction from tackling the real issues that impact the retail sector.

"Our members remain opposed to extending Sunday trading hours. Allowing large stores to open for longer on Sundays would have a negative impact on retail workers, their families and our communities. Longer Sunday trading would take a heavy toll on staff who would come under even more pressure to work, when they would rather be spending time with family and engaging in community, sports and leisure activities or attending church. "There would also be a detrimental impact on smaller retailers who can already open longer hours on Sundays. These traders rely on the boost in trade they get on Sunday morning, with St George's Market being a prime example. Even supporters of extended Sunday opening hours have not been able to show it will lead to economic benefits or job creation. Put simply, opening shops for longer does not mean people have more money to spend.

"We all want to see a strong and diverse retail sector in Belfast and across the nation, but that means striking the right balance. We urge City Councillors to listen to the majority of shop workers and retailers who do not want extended Sunday trading."

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts also criticised the proposal, arguing that deregulating Sunday trading would undermine smaller businesses and fail to bring fresh ideas to the city’s retail offering.

"To completely deregulate Sunday trading and create another normal shopping day shows a poverty of ambition and ideas for the city. It is an idea that belongs to the past and not to a modern progressive 21st century city.

"We need new thinking to animate Sunday mornings and offer shoppers and visitors something different. This proposal will provide large multinationals with even more trading time, directly at the expense of small independent retailers who use trading time on Sunday mornings to sustain their business."

Both organisations are urging councillors to focus instead on developing a broader strategy to support the retail sector, including collaboration between government, businesses, workers and trade unions.