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To think it's time to abolish Sunday trading rules in England

212 replies

CurdinHenry · 19/04/2026 20:41

And just have a more normal week

OP posts:
BashfulClam · 19/04/2026 20:51

Just been to the Sainsbury’s nearby as I needed lunch items for tomorrow. I live in Scotland and find Sunday hours in England bizarre.

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 19/04/2026 20:51

Things are fine as they are. If you are panic buying on a Sunday you need to be more organised. Keeping shops open longer would make shopping more expensive and mean less time off for workers.

Helpboat · 19/04/2026 20:49

Lovelynames123 · 19/04/2026 20:46

We tried this, but it wasn't worth the costs for the few customers who came in. There is a cafe near me open until 10pm but never anyone in, I assume they make money off deliveries later on

Yes I suppose you’re right. We don’t have cafe culture in this country which is a shame.

Helpboat · 19/04/2026 20:48

CurdinHenry · 19/04/2026 20:46

Agree with this too

We have a lot of family from abroad and it’s honestly a headache trying to get a coffee or ice-cream after dinner here in the summer. The cities just die unless it’s the weekend then it’s just bar/club culture.

Lovelynames123 · 19/04/2026 20:46

Helpboat · 19/04/2026 20:45

I don’t know but I’d love it if cafes stayed open past 4/5 in tbis country. Everything just dies after 5pm despite it not getting dark till 9pm here.

We tried this, but it wasn't worth the costs for the few customers who came in. There is a cafe near me open until 10pm but never anyone in, I assume they make money off deliveries later on

AgnesMcDoo · 19/04/2026 20:46

We abolished it years ago in Scotland.

Always get caught when I visit England.

CurdinHenry · 19/04/2026 20:46

Helpboat · 19/04/2026 20:45

I don’t know but I’d love it if cafes stayed open past 4/5 in tbis country. Everything just dies after 5pm despite it not getting dark till 9pm here.

Agree with this too

OP posts:
LeopardPrintFleece · 19/04/2026 20:46

I agree! Or just close on a Sunday all together. The reduced hours are infuriating and pointless.

CurdinHenry · 19/04/2026 20:45

Lostallhistory · 19/04/2026 20:42

What's your reasoning for this?

It's really old-fashioned and inconvenient and most people aren't Christian. (There is no Sunday trading in Scotland and never had been and it's a lot better for anyone who just wants to relax instead of panic shopping)

OP posts:
Lovelynames123 · 19/04/2026 20:45

Why? There are enough smaller shops open early for emergency purchases, and it's quite nice that retail staff have a reasonably early finish (when I was in retail we still started at 9am on a Sunday, and did jobs before customers came in at 10)

Helpboat · 19/04/2026 20:45

I don’t know but I’d love it if cafes stayed open past 4/5 in tbis country. Everything just dies after 5pm despite it not getting dark till 9pm here.

Lostallhistory · 19/04/2026 20:42

What's your reasoning for this?