Ministers consider overturning Sunday trading hours

The Government may weaken Sunday Trading laws to appease large businesses, it has been reported.

According to The Grocer, sources within the Treasury informally suggested the idea in order to offset the backlash against plans to increase the business rates multiplier up to 10p for properties valued over £500,000.

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

‘Pressure’

A leading source told The Grocer “there are no firm plans – it’s much more a case of people flying kites”.

But The Christian Institute’s Head of Communications Angus Saul emphasised how “crucial” it is to raise awareness of how such changes would impact families.

“Liberalising opening hours would only put more pressure on people to work on Sundays. Not only would retail staff be affected, but other workers such as cleaners and security officers.

“Secular organisations such as USDAW have recognised this in the past, and have highlighted how removing the restrictions would make it more difficult for parents to secure weekday contracts. Keeping Sunday special is beneficial for Christians and non-Christians and we do not need yet more disruption to the day of rest.”

Entertainer

Last month, the founder and owner of multimillion-pound toyshop chain The Entertainer told The Christian Institute about his mission to be salt and light in the world of business.

Gary Grant left school with just one O-level in Maths. At the age of 23, he and his wife Catherine took over their first toyshop in Buckinghamshire. Now approaching retirement, Mr Grant will hand over his successful family business — with 160 UK shops and a healthy profit margin — to his employees.

When Sunday trading laws changed in 1995, the Grants chose not to open on a Sunday. Gary explained that while the website operates 24/7, employees do not “pick, pack or dispatch” orders on the Lord’s Day as, he added, “we do value our staff having the opportunity to spend time with their families.”