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Change to Sunday Laws Dire For Indies
Listed under: News
Published: Wednesday, April 07, 2010
A recent push by some of the country's largest retail chains for a relaxation in Sunday laws, which would allow them to trade for longer this Boxing Day, has attracted criticism from one of the UK's leading business support groups, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
As it stands, the law currently allows retail outlets occupying more than 3,000 square feet the right to trade for six hours between 10am and 6pm on a Sunday. However, there are presently no such restrictions for smaller businesses. The ACS is arguing that a change in legislation would unsettle customers in an already unstable climate and make it impossible for many of the country's independent businesses to compete.
The organisation's call for a halt in any plans to change the existing rule comes following a recent report earlier this month revealing that some of the UK's largest retail outlets, including Top Shop, New Look and Selfridges, have written to the business secretary, Lord Mandelson, calling for a deregulation of the current law.
Interestingly, the general public also appear to be opposed to a change in the present system, with more than three quarters saying they fully support the existing structure.
Commenting on the findings, James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS, says, “Local stores benefit from the current restrictions because they support a balance towards shopping in small outlets on a Sunday.
“This is a balance customers are clearly happy with, and unsettling this would have a significant impact on the viability of local shops to trade, not just on Sundays, but throughout the year,” he concludes.
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As it stands, the law currently allows retail outlets occupying more than 3,000 square feet the right to trade for six hours between 10am and 6pm on a Sunday. However, there are presently no such restrictions for smaller businesses. The ACS is arguing that a change in legislation would unsettle customers in an already unstable climate and make it impossible for many of the country's independent businesses to compete.
The organisation's call for a halt in any plans to change the existing rule comes following a recent report earlier this month revealing that some of the UK's largest retail outlets, including Top Shop, New Look and Selfridges, have written to the business secretary, Lord Mandelson, calling for a deregulation of the current law.
Interestingly, the general public also appear to be opposed to a change in the present system, with more than three quarters saying they fully support the existing structure.
Commenting on the findings, James Lowman, chief executive of the ACS, says, “Local stores benefit from the current restrictions because they support a balance towards shopping in small outlets on a Sunday.
“This is a balance customers are clearly happy with, and unsettling this would have a significant impact on the viability of local shops to trade, not just on Sundays, but throughout the year,” he concludes.
What do you think? Email your thoughts to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
