UK government launches consultation on Sunday trading hours

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Aug 5, 2015

Shops in local UK areas could soon stay open for longer on Sundays, after the government launched a new consultation.

Under new reforms, metro mayors and local authorities would get the power to decide on Sunday trading rules affecting local residents. The reforms are meant to allow shops and high streets to stay open longer, helping them compete with online retailers.

It would be up to local authorities to zone which part of their local authority area would benefit from the longer hours. Communities Minister Brandon Lewis said: "This government is determined to devolve powers previously held in Whitehall to local people. That’s why we want to give local leaders the power to decide whether Sunday trading is right for their area, and to give their retailers the option to stay open for longer."

The government said the consultation will look at 2 proposals on devolving Sunday trading, devolving powers on Sunday trading law to elected metro mayors and/or local authorities. It wants retailers, shoppers and other interested groups to give their views on the proposed changes.

Under current trading laws, large stores cannot be open for more than 6 hours on Sundays.