Bira (British Retailers Association) has added its voice to the Keep Sunday Special campaign, which opposes the Government’s proposal to relax Sunday trading laws. Under plans being suggested by the Government, England could suspend Sunday trading laws for a year in a bid to boost the economy. Bira says such plans would be detrimental to small independent retailers.
Sunday trading laws were introduced in 1994, which limits shops with retail space over 280 square metres to a maximum of six hours trading. However, new legislation would allow bigger stores to open for longer on Sundays.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s ceo commented: “We are concerned about these proposals; we believe it would be to the further detriment of the high street. It would reduce footfall on a key trading day – Sundays give independent retailrs the chance to compete with the large chains.
“All stores opening normal hours on Sundays is not good for the high street in general and for the smaller retailers. We already know retail parks are prospering by comparison and I do not see any good argument for making these changes.”
Bira has joined the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and a host of other organisations, and written to Boris Johnson to raise their concerns as part of the Keep Sunday Special campaign.
