OPEN SUNDAYS URGES CHANCELLOR TO LIBERALISE SUNDAY TRADING IN PRE-BUDGET LETTER
London, UK – 4 November 2025: Campaign group Open Sundays today announced that it has sent an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, calling for the liberalisation of Sunday trading laws to boost retail growth ahead of the upcoming Budget.
The letter, signed by Adrian Pepper, Director of Open Sundays, highlights the inconsistency of reviewing the Licensing Act 2003 to promote economic growth while leaving the Sunday Trading Act 1994 untouched. It urges the Government to align its growth agenda by removing outdated restrictions on large stores, noting that liberalisation would increase footfall, benefit smaller retailers, and deliver measurable economic gains.
Key points raised in the letter include:
Evidence from the 2012 London Olympics eight-week Sunday trading experiment, where Office for National Statistics data showed retail sales rose by 3.2% year-on-year during liberalisation, dropping to 1.6% the following month when restrictions returned.
A proposed pilot allowing all shops to open without hour limits on the four Sundays in December – covering peak Christmas shopping and early post-Christmas sales - to generate real-time evidence and immediate economic uplift.
The competitive disadvantage faced by UK high-street retailers compared to online giants and many EU countries with fully liberalised Sunday trading.
Adrian Pepper, Director of Open Sundays, said:
“Britain’s Sunday trading laws are a relic holding back growth, jobs, and consumer choice. The Chancellor says she wants to unleash economic potential - here’s a simple, proven way to do it. A December pilot would deliver festive cheer to shoppers, evidence to policymakers, and a fair chance for high-street stores to compete with online giants operating 24/7.”
Open Sundays has offered to brief Treasury officials on supporting economic studies and stands ready to assist with designing a December pilot.