Sunday trading laws (Sunday Trading Act 1994)
If you want to open your shop on Sundays you need to be aware
that there are restrictions on the number of hours you can open
for. Small shops are exempt from these restrictions. If the retail
area of your shop is less than 280 square metres then you can open
for as long as you wish.
However, large shops (with a retail area of over 280 square
metres) are only allowed to open for 6 hours on Sundays. They are
not allowed to open on Easter Sunday (or Christmas Day when it
falls on a Sunday.)
You must display the Sunday opening times both inside and
outside your shop.
The Regulatory Reform (Sunday Trading) Order 2004 removed the
requirement for large shops in England and Wales to give prior
written notice to Local Authorities of their intended Sunday
Trading hours or to notify any changes to the Authority. The Order
also removes the requirement for Local Authorities to maintain a
register of premises and their opening hours on Sundays.
Exemptions
Public Houses, Off-Licences and take-aways (opening hours for
these are governed by their licence requirements)
Chemists and pharmacies (where only medical goods are sold)
Shops in railway stations
Petrol filling stations and service areas
Motor accessory shops
Farm shops
Exhibition stands
A copy of the Sunday Trading Order can be obtained by visiting
Statutory Instruments and Explanatory Memorandum
(Office of
Public Sector Information website). The full title is SI 2004
No. 470.
For further advice and guidance on
Sunday trading laws, and clarification as to enforcement
responsibility please contact:
Environmental Services
Email:
Environmental.services@tendringdc.gov.uk
Address: Environmental
Services, Council Offices, Weeley, Clacton-on-Sea,Essex CO16
9AJ
Telephone: (01255)
686767 |