UK supermarkets could be set for longer Sunday opening hours

The proposal is reportedly being discussed by Treasury sources

Supermarkets could be given the green light to open for longer on Sundays under a proposal reportedly being considered by the government.

At present, shops with a retail area of over 280 square metres in England and Wales can open on Sundays for just six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm. Smaller shops, under 280 square metres, are exempt from these restrictions and may operate at any time, including for 24 hours.

However, according to The Grocer, Treasury sources have discussed plans to relax Sunday trading limits following warnings from supermarket chiefs to Chancellor Rachel Reeves about the potential negative impact of proposed business rate increases.

The government has confirmed it intends to introduce a higher business rates multiplier for properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more. The measure is designed to fund discounted rates for smaller retailers and hospitality businesses.

One source told The Grocer that as yet there were no firm plans in place.

They added: “We’ve been down this path at least three times before and each time we have seen a similar pattern of events and the same outcome. There will be some retailers who are strongly in favour of this and others opposed.

Under the Conservatives perhaps the deciding factor for the plans not going ahead came from those in the party who wanted Sunday to be kept special. With Labour the big fly in the ointment is likely to be the unions.”