Large high street stores across the country are lobbying for an alteration in the Sunday trading laws. The proposals have been quickly jumped upon by a number of Christian groups, who have denounced the move.
The government will be pressured by the retail industry who will take their case the to Department of Trade and Industry to amend the Sunday Trading Act, which was passed in 1994.
The campaign manager for Keep Sunday Special, John Alexander has stated that there is absolutely no need for a change in the legislation. He reported, "Increasingly people are recognising that time spent with family and friends is more important than money. I’m not sure whether this government has the stomach to oppose proposed changes."
A recent poll taken by the campaign group showed that 75 percent of people believed that one day rest each week spent with friends and family, was more important than a 24-7 shopping society being set up.
Eleven years ago the government relaxed trading laws by allowing large retailers to trade for all 7 days of the week, with a limited time be permitted for Sundays – currently large stores are prohibited from being open for more than six hours on Sundays.
Protests against the proposals have also been heard from a number of Trade Unionists and shop workers, according to the Church of England Newspaper. Fears were that further relaxing of the rules could add further pressure to workers to completely give up their weekends.
Across Europe Sunday trading laws vary: In Germany Sunday trading is not allowed; France allows trading on Sundays but restricts employing workers on that day; and Sweden has no legislation in place regarding this at all.
The Church of England has responded through a spokesperson to the Church of England newspaper, and called for people to remember and recognise Sunday as a holy day. The spokesman said, "You cannot seriously argue that the nation needs more time to shop."
