The Government’s plans to change Sunday trading rules (see our blogs in August last year and February this year) have been rejected by the House of Commons.
The changes, had they been implemented, would have seen the devolution of power to local authorities to make decisions as to whether shops in the local area should have longer opening hours on Sundays based on local demand.
Despite 76% of respondents to the Government’s consultation supporting the proposed changes, the plans were defeated in the House of Commons on 9th March by 317 votes to 286. Sunday trading rules as they are at the moment will remain; retailers with shops over 3,000 square feet are limited to 6 consecutive hours of trading between the hours of 10am and 6pm whilst shops with less than 3,000 square foot are able to trade all day.
A compromise was suggested, amid Government’s fear of defeat on the proposal, which would have seen local councils authorising all day Sunday trading on a pilot basis. However, the compromise was lodged too late and, thus, not accepted.
For now, at least, Sunday trading rules as we know them are here to stay!