Sunday Trading

Under the Sunday Trading Act 1994 the limits on shop opening hours are:

• Small shops (internal floor area under 280 sq m/3,000 sq ft)
- no restrictions on opening

• Large shops* (internal floor area 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

Large shops may open any time between 10.00am and noon, however, the related closing time must be no longer than 6 hours after the chosen opening time.

Commonly most large shops* open between either:

• 10.00am and 4.00pm or
• 11.00am and 5.00pm
  

From 27th February 2004 the Regulatory Reform (Sunday Trading) Order 2004 removed the requirement for large shops (with an internal area over 280 square metres) to give prior notice to local authorities of their Sunday Trading hours, or any subsequent changes. The Order also removed the requirement on local authorities to maintain a register of such notifications.

Proprietors of large shops must display their Sunday Trading hours both outside and within the store at all times.

Should either businesses or the public have any queries or concerns regarding compliance with the Sunday Trading Act 1994, in relation to a particular premises in the borough, they should follow this link to contact us


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?

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
  Christmas Day (when on a Sunday) - closed (please follow this link for separate factsheet.)

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. The sale of methylated spirits is currently prohibited on Sunday under Section 26 of the Revenue Act 1889. Custom and Excise and DTI are taking steps to repeal this provision by means of a Regulatory Reform Order (see under campaigns and consultations).

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 legislation (e.g. the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, The London Local Authorities Act 1990), 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.

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. Sunday trading has been legal in Scotland for many years and, in consequence, many Scottish shop workers had become accustomed to Sunday working. It was the Government's view that the reform of the law on Sunday trading in England and Wales was not necessary in Scotland. These arrangements seemed to work to the satisfaction of all, without the need for further legislation.