Belfast ‘disregarding God and man’ by extending Sunday opening hours

Sunday trading hours in Belfast will be extended on the first two Sundays of August, under a trial for larger shops during the summer.

Belfast City Council rejected a motion to fully retain the current hours of 1pm to 6pm by 41 votes to 19, instead allowing shops over 280 square metres to open from 11am on the 2 and 9 of August.

The Council claimed that this would benefit tourists during the Irish music and dance festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, but the Democratic Unionist Party, Traditional Unionist Voice and People Before Profit opposed the measure.

‘Christian foundation’

DUP councillor Dean McCullough, who proposed retaining the current hours, emphasised that “Sundays are different”.

This country, he said, “whether some want to admit it or not, was built on Judeo Christian foundations”.

Trade union USDAW also noted that its members “overwhelmingly” oppose the new measures, saying they would rather attend church or spend time with family.

Angus Saul, The Christian Institute’s Head of Communications, commented: “Longer hours inevitably increase staff pressure to work on Sundays, while everyone benefits from having a day of rest. These proposals disregard the effect on people, not to mention our duty to God, in an attempt to make a few more pounds.”

‘No plans’

Last year, sources within the Treasury suggested weakening Sunday Trading laws in England and Wales in order to offset the backlash against plans to increase the business rates multiplier.

But a HM Treasury spokesperson later confirmed that the Government did not “intend to make changes to Sunday trading rules”.

The Sunday Trading Act prevents large stores from opening for more than six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays.