Sunday Trading - Possible Relaxation - Update

Originally published 3rd February 2016.

Further to our previous news that the proposed relaxation in Sunday trading laws had become ‘stalled’ - the Government have now made it known that they are intending to press ahead with these plans which would give to give local councils the power to extend Sunday trading hours.

This will be effected by amendments being tabled to the Enterprise Bill, currently making its way through Parliament.

The results of a previous public consultation have yet to be published.

Update 10 February 2016 – the Government have now produced a factsheet about its proposals to de-regulate Sunday trading which can be found here: 'Devolving powers to extend Sunday trading hours: factsheet'.

The detailed proposals include:

• Giving local authorities across England and Wales, the Mayors of London, and Greater Manchester (when elected) and Mayors established through any future devolution deals the power to extend Sunday trading hours.
• Giving local authorities the option to zone relaxed hours, meaning they can help boost local high streets and shopping areas to the benefit of both larger and smaller stores and consumers.
• Reducing the notice period for shop workers at large shops to opt out of Sunday working altogether, from the current 3 months to 1 month.
• Giving shop workers a new right to opt out of working longer than their normal Sunday hours – also by giving 1 month’s notice at large shops or 3 months’ notice at small shops.
• Guaranteeing a minimum award (usually two weeks’ pay) where a related claim is brought and an employment tribunal finds that the employer failed to notify the shop worker of their opt out rights.

Update 10 March 2016 – As has been well reported elsewhere in the national press, MPs last night rejected Government proposals to relax Sunday Trading laws for larger stores.