Local shops have condemned Government plans to give major towns and cities the power to remove Sunday Trading regulations, warning that the move will be complicated, ineffective at increasing trade on the high street and would threaten the livelihoods of convenience store owners.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "Giving local authorities the responsibility for setting Sunday trading hours will lead to inconsistency and confusion for businesses and shoppers. In areas where large stores' trading hours are extended, we will simply see the same amount of trade spread over more hours and shifting from small stores to large stores, as was the case when the laws were suspended for the 2012 London Olympics, when overall retail sales actually fell.
"Existing Sunday trading laws are a popular compromise that balance the needs of consumers, shopworkers, small stores and families. Over three-quarters of people like the laws as they are, and fewer than one in ten people want to see longer Sunday opening hours. The short period of time that small stores are open while large stores are shut is a crucial advantage for convenience stores, most of which are owned by small businesses. Liberalising Sunday trading hours would make some small stores unviable."
ACS research conducted in February 2015 by ComRes shows that 76% of the public support existing Sunday trading regulations. Of those who are in favour of change, 60% called for greater restrictions on trading hours.
Government has extensively considered changes to Sunday trading rules through the Red Tape Challenge, the Retail Growth Review and a temporary removal during the 2012 Olympic Games. In all cases, a clear decision was made that Sunday trading rules as they stand are an effective and valued compromise for all interested parties.
During the temporary removal of Sunday Trading rules during the Olympic Games, sales declined by 0.4% year on year overall, with some smaller retailers reporting a sales decline of up to 20%. ONS figures also showed a 0.2% decrease in sales in July/August 2012.
