Sunday Trading
The sale of goods from retail premises is governed by the Sunday Trading Act 1994. This Act restricts certain large shops from opening for sale to a maximum of 6 hours between 10am and 6pm. It is up to the owners of those shops to which the Act applies to decide what their opening hours are and since Feb 2004 there is no requirement for owners to notify the Local Authority what hours they have decided on.
A large shop is a retail shop with an internal sales area of at least 280 square metres (approximately 3000 square feet). Store rooms, staff facilities and external displays are excluded and a large shop cannot become a small shop on a Sunday by reducing its sales area.
The following shops are excluded from control :-
A large shop is a retail shop with an internal sales area of at least 280 square metres (approximately 3000 square feet). Store rooms, staff facilities and external displays are excluded and a large shop cannot become a small shop on a Sunday by reducing its sales area.
The following shops are excluded from control :-
- Farms Shops (selling mainly their own produce).
- Off Licences
- Motor & Bike Supplies and Accessory retailers
- Pharmacies
- Shops at Airports, Railway Stations and Motorway Services and most shops at Ports
- Petrol Filling Stations
- Stands at Exhibitions
Shops to which the Act applies may only unload delivery vehicles before 9am with the consent of the Local Authority and are allowed half an hour to clear tills once the shop has closed.
The Sunday Trading Act also contains provisions for the protection of shop workers rights. However, the Local Authority has no enforcement powers in relation to these provisions. If you have a concern regarding shop workers right you should contact a Trade Union, Solicitor or Citizen’s advice Bureau.
If you would like to report any infringements of Sunday Trading please contact the Environmental Health department on 01249 706555.
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