Sunday trading laws to remain the same

There is to be no change to current Sunday shopping hours, Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling has announced.

The Sunday Trading Act 1994 limits the opening of large shops - those shops over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft - in England and Wales to only six continual hours between 10am and 6pm. Larger shops must also close on Easter Sunday.

Small shops have no restrictions on opening. There are no restrictions on Sunday shopping hours in Scotland.

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."

Responding to the decision, Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesperson Edward Davey said: "Opinion was heavily against an increase in Sunday trading hours, and it's good that ministers have at last admitted the inevitable.

"Yet this decision still leaves small shops on our high streets suffering from the unfair business rate system and from unfair competitive practices.

"Ministers must now address the rates issue and the Office of Fair Trading must press on with its review of competition in the grocery and supermarket sector."

(KMcA/SP)