Open Sundays declares Sunday Trading Devolution “a boost for Freedom”

Shoppers’ consumer group Open Sundays has given a measured welcome to the Government’s package of measures to devolve decisions on Sunday shop opening hours.

“We are delighted that the archaic Sunday trading laws are being reformed. We would have preferred to have seen a full national liberalisation of opening hours, but this is a welcome first step and a boost for freedom,” said Adrian Pepper, co-founder of consumer group Open Sundays.

“It should really be down to shop owners whether they want to open their store on a Sunday, not local authorities, but we are confident that many local authorities will grant them that freedom.

“These measures will help hard working families who have limited time to go shopping at weekends. They will provide more opportunities to those less able to work during the week to take Sunday jobs. And they should help stamp out the practice by some supermarket chains of ripping off their customers by charging higher prices in their smaller convenience stores than in their superstores.”