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information on this subject or wish to express any concerns please
contact the Commercial Team on 01638 719284 or by email
here.
Relevant or Related Legislation
Sunday Trading Act 1994. Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004
Current Position
In addition to regulating opening by large shops on Sunday, the
Sunday Trading Act 1994 prohibits large shops from opening on
Easter Sunday.
Recent Relevant Campaigns or
Consultation
A Regulatory Reform Order came into force on 27 February
2004. It removed the requirement for large shops in England
and Wales to give prior written notification to the local authority
of their Sunday opening hours or change in these hours. The
Order also repealed the restriction contained in section 26 of the
Revenue Act 1889 on the sale of methylated spirits between 10pm on
Saturday and 8am on the following Monday.
The Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 (see separate
Factsheet from the Department of Trade and Industry
Website) came into force on 9 December 2004. The Act
prohibits large shops (over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft) from opening on
Christmas Day.
Key Facts
Under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 the limits on shop opening hours
are:
- Small shops (under 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft) - no restrictions on
opening
- Large shops (over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft)
- Monday to Saturday - no restrictions
- Sunday - Opening for 6 continual hours only, between 10am and
6pm
- Easter Sunday - closed
The 1994 Act was a compromise between strongly held and
competing views. The partial deregulation introduced by the Act
appears to have provided a reasonable and enforceable balance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the law on shop opening hours on a
Sunday?
Q2. Will the Government amend the Sunday Trading
Act 1994 to change the law on Sunday opening by large shops?
Q3. What goods can be sold on a Sunday?
Q4. What are the rules governing alcohol sales on
a Sunday?
Q5. How does Sunday Trading Act affect street
markets, car boot sales etc?
Q6. Why are large Garden centres not able to open
on Easter Sunday?
Q7. Why is there special protection for Sunday
working in shops?
Q8. Why doesn't this protection extend to
Scotland?
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Q1. What is the law on shop opening hours on a
Sunday?
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 the limits shop opening hours as
follows:
- Small shops (under 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft) - no restrictions on
opening
- Large shops (over 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft)
- Monday to Saturday - no restrictions
- Sunday - Opening for 6 hours only, between 10am and 6pm
- Easter Sunday - closed
Q2. Will the Government amend the Sunday Trading Act
1994 to change the law on Sunday opening by large
stores?
The partial deregulation introduced by the 1994 Act appears to have
provided a reasonable and enforceable balance. The Government has
stated that it will continue to monitor operation of the Act to
ensure it continues to meet current needs.
Q3. What goods can be sold on a
Sunday?
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 regulates shop opening hours. It does
not regulate the sale of particular goods. The 1994 Act removed a
number of anomalies which existed under the Sunday trading
provisions of the Shops Act 1950, which prohibited the sale of some
goods but not other, often similar, goods. Sale of certain goods,
such as alcohol, is subject to separate legislation.
Q4. What are the rules governing alcohol sales on a
Sunday?
The sale of alcohol is permitted between 10.00 and 23.00 on Sunday.
Neither the sale of alcohol nor shops whose trade or business
consists wholly or mainly of the sale of alcohol are regulated by
the Sunday Trading Act 1994. They are regulated by separate
legislation, for which the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
is responsible.
Q5. How does Sunday Trading Act affect street markets, car
boot sales etc?
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 regulates shop opening hours. It does
not regulate street markets or car boot sales. These are subject to
separate local planning legislation, normally enforced by local
authorities.
Q6. Why are large garden centres not able to open on Easter
Sunday?
This was considered by Parliament in 1994 during the passage of the
Sunday Trading Bill. An amendment proposing that large garden
centres should be exempt from closing on Easter Sunday was defeated
on a free vote in both Houses.
Q7. Why is there special protection for Sunday working in
shops?
The protections in the Sunday Trading Act 1994 reflected the fact
that the conditions of shop workers were being changed by
legislation. The law had created new circumstances for employees
which were contrary to their previous expectations. These
Provisions were consolidated into the Employment Rights Act 1996,
whereby shopworkers (other than those employed to work solely on
Sundays) have the right to refuse to work on Sundays.
Q8. Why doesn't this protection extend to
Scotland?
The protection was originally introduced by the Sunday Trading Act
1994, which does not extend to Scotland. The Sunday Working
(Scotland) Act 2003 provides protection for shop and betting
workers in Scotland.