Extended Sunday trading expected in the autumn

New powers that will allow local authorities to extend Sunday trading hours in their local area are expected to be introduced this autumn.

The plans will be introduced as part of the Enterprise Bill, which will also include additional rights for employees to opt out of Sunday working hours with only one month’s notice.

The new powers aim to support failing high streets and allow them to remain competitive with other retailers such online stores, which accounted for 13.8 per cent of all retail spend in December 2015.

Council’s will have the ability to create ‘zones’ where opening hours are more flexible, in the hope of driving business to these selected areas.

Business Minister Anna Soubry said: “Extending Sunday shopping hours has the potential to help businesses and high streets better compete as our shopping habits change.

“The rights of shop workers are key to making these changes work in everyone’s interests. We are protecting those who do not wish to work Sundays, and those who do not want to work more than their normal Sunday working hours.”

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