FACTSHEET and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Subject: Sunday Trading

Relevant or Related Legislation: Sunday Trading Act 1994.  Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004

Current Positon:

In addition to regulating opening by large shops on Sunday, the Sunday Trading Act 1994 prohibits large shops from opening on Easter Sunday.

The DTI is currently seeking views on the pros and cons of further liberalisation of the current Sunday Trading law. Closing date for receipt of comments is 14 April 2006. For more information, click here.

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  The Order also repealed the restriction contained in section 26 of the Revenue Act 1889 on the sale of methylated spirits between 10pm on Saturday and 8am on the following Monday.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) 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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the law on shop opening hours on a Sunday?
Q2. What goods can be sold on a Sunday?
Q3. What are the rules governing alcohol sales on a Sunday?
Q4. How does Sunday Trading Act affect street markets, car boot sales etc?
Q5. Why are large Garden centres not able to open on Easter Sunday?
Q6. Why is there special protection for Sunday working in shops?
Q7. Why doesn't this protection extend to Scotland?

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. 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.

Q3. What are the rules governing alcohol sales on a 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.

Q4. 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.

Q5. 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.

Q6. 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.

Q7. 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.

Contacts:

Employees' Rights and Protection, Religious Festivals - DTI, ER Directorate 

Alcohol Sales - Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)

Street Trading/Car Boot Sales - The relevant local authority or the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

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Last updated 18 January 2006

Department of Trade and Industry

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