Sunday Trading Campaign a Big Success
06 Jul 2006
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the announcement by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Alastair Darling, that following consultation the Government will not be making any changes to the Sunday Trading Act 1994. Mr Darling stated that there were over 1000 responses and there was no “substantial demand for change.”
This is a victory for those that have campaigned for the maintenance of the existing law. Campaigners include small shops groups led by ACS, shopworkers led by Union USDAW and consumer groups.
ACS’ Government Relations Manager, Shane Brennan said: “We are delighted that the Government has listened to us and decided to keep Sunday trading law as it is. We have maintained from the outset that change was not wanted by the majority of retailers, shop workers or customers. We are grateful to Ministers and MPs who have listened to our case and responded favourably.
“There has been no convincing case for change and conclusive evidence of a damaging impact on small shops as a result keeping the status quo is the right decision. The Sunday Trading Act is a reasonable and enforceable balance between strong and opposing views.
“We congratulate all those involved in the campaign but in particular to the hundreds of independent retailers who lobbied their MPs to make their voice heard.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) was formed in 1995 as the retail trade association for the UK convenience store sector. ACS is the fastest growing trade association in the UK retail market, representing over 32,500 shops.
2. ACS has undertaken a comprehensive lobbying campaign to ensure small shops views are heard action included:
• Detailed submissions on the case against a reform of the law submitted first in November 2005 and again in April 2006
• Meetings with ministers and officials to reinforce the case
• A letter writing campaign aimed at gaining support of MPs for our case
• High profile Parliamentary activity ensuring that the debate is heard on the issue
• ACS commissioned independent economic research casting significant doubt on the conclusions of the Governments Cost Benefit Analysis about the economic benefits of change
• Polling commissioned alongside Convenience Store Magazine by BMRB showed that 68% of consumers said they did not want Sunday trading to be de-regulated.
This is a victory for those that have campaigned for the maintenance of the existing law. Campaigners include small shops groups led by ACS, shopworkers led by Union USDAW and consumer groups.
ACS’ Government Relations Manager, Shane Brennan said: “We are delighted that the Government has listened to us and decided to keep Sunday trading law as it is. We have maintained from the outset that change was not wanted by the majority of retailers, shop workers or customers. We are grateful to Ministers and MPs who have listened to our case and responded favourably.
“There has been no convincing case for change and conclusive evidence of a damaging impact on small shops as a result keeping the status quo is the right decision. The Sunday Trading Act is a reasonable and enforceable balance between strong and opposing views.
“We congratulate all those involved in the campaign but in particular to the hundreds of independent retailers who lobbied their MPs to make their voice heard.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) was formed in 1995 as the retail trade association for the UK convenience store sector. ACS is the fastest growing trade association in the UK retail market, representing over 32,500 shops.
2. ACS has undertaken a comprehensive lobbying campaign to ensure small shops views are heard action included:
• Detailed submissions on the case against a reform of the law submitted first in November 2005 and again in April 2006
• Meetings with ministers and officials to reinforce the case
• A letter writing campaign aimed at gaining support of MPs for our case
• High profile Parliamentary activity ensuring that the debate is heard on the issue
• ACS commissioned independent economic research casting significant doubt on the conclusions of the Governments Cost Benefit Analysis about the economic benefits of change
• Polling commissioned alongside Convenience Store Magazine by BMRB showed that 68% of consumers said they did not want Sunday trading to be de-regulated.