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Original poster

Sunday opening hours

67 replies

catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 09:52

Ok so I can't remember the last time I shopped on a Sunday. I need to shop
Today and loads of places don't open the tills until 11am. Seems so outdated. Surely there are staff that want to work a Sunday.

Maybe I'm completely wrong on this as I say I very very rarely need to shop on Sundays but surely many want to or need to.

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 29/10/2023 09:55

It's the law depending on the footage of the shop.

Original poster
catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 10:00

I know it's the law. I just think it feels a bit outdated

OP posts:
CeeJay81 · 29/10/2023 10:01

As someone who works in a supermarket I'm glad its limited to 6 hours.

Original poster
catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 10:37

CeeJay81 · 29/10/2023 10:01

As someone who works in a supermarket I'm glad its limited to 6 hours.

But surely there are staff that would like to work an eight hour day in a Sunday and less in the week

OP posts:
Londonandon · 29/10/2023 10:38

catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 10:00

I know it's the law. I just think it feels a bit outdated

Agreed. If they did away with the outdated laws it would provide increased jobs and increased productivity and growth. It’s a ridiculous law.

CacenCaws · 29/10/2023 10:40

YABU are you one of those annoying people that go shopping on boxing day too? The people that work in supermarkets don't get to choose which shifts they would like or not usually

Caspianberg · 29/10/2023 10:41

Try living in mainland Europe, nothing is open at all. Not even for 1 min on a Sunday. The only place is the petrol stations or some train station shops if large city.

Our supermarket closes 5pm Saturday, reopens 7am Monday. Locally most other stores if not chains, even garden centres close 12pm Saturday also, then all
day Sunday.

AFieldGuideToTrees · 29/10/2023 10:42

In my town (England), most supermarkets are open 10-4, one 9.30 but "browsing" only till ten, and one open 11-5.

So, 7.5 hours of availability which is pretty decent for a Sunday.

Scottish supermarkets are generally a lot better, open from 8am till 8pm, or retain their standard opening hours.

CeeJay81 · 29/10/2023 10:43

@catbla2957 i'm working an 8 hour day this afternoon, cause we put the stock out when the shop is closed on a Sunday, so people are working. It's less hassle putting out stock when we have no customers. I think 6 hours is plenty.

Original poster
catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 10:43

CacenCaws · 29/10/2023 10:40

YABU are you one of those annoying people that go shopping on boxing day too? The people that work in supermarkets don't get to choose which shifts they would like or not usually

As I said I rarely if ever shop on a Sunday. It just struck me today that it feels outdated. I'm sure there are people, students and families juggling childcare who would love the chance to work longer Sundays.

OP posts:
HollyGolightly4 · 29/10/2023 10:45

So outdated, especially when the clocks go back and you wake up at 7 and would just love to get the shop over and done with 🤣. Tesco's doesn't open till 11, I'm killing time with a coffee!

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 29/10/2023 10:46

I have to go to Asda today as out of baby milk and I didn’t have my car yesterday to go. I hate going on a Sunday, it’s horrendously rammed. I’m leaving baby today with dh so I can take a basket instead and easily go through the basket checkout. The trolley aisles you can queue for half hour or more sometimes. I do think they should also update the law and remove the short hours.

Crunchymum · 29/10/2023 10:49

I usually get the food shopping delivered on a Sunday so very rarely have to venture out to the supermarket. However this week we got it yesterday and I forgot to add a few bits so need to pop out today. I can happily wait until 11 (although I'll probably go in an hour or so as for some reason people feel the need to queue for opening on a Sunday!!)

In an age of immediate gratification I actually like Sunday opening hours. Granted I have plenty of amenities near me that are open as I'm very central.

** we do an activity and walk past Sainsburys and see people queuing For opening on Sunday.

ohtowinthelottery · 29/10/2023 11:04

They have a choice. Some open 10-4 others open 11-5. Either way, 6 hours is more than enough. Shopping seems to have become the go to leisure activity on a Sunday usually incorporating some sort of unhealthy fast food meal. Back in the days when shops were shut on a Sunday we did outdoor family activities on a Sunday or played sport. Shame the leisure centres are closed/on reduced hours on a Sunday around here!

Burnoutwhat · 29/10/2023 11:15

I worked in retail in a supermarket through my 2 year masters and after fir a bit. Even though it was 10 years ago I find it hugely irritating that you have just decided people would like to work long hours on Sunday. You don't even normally shop on a Sunday!

There are plenty of jobs you can work on a Sunday if want. Let the retail staff have one evening they know they won't be working ffs

Original poster
catbla2957 · 29/10/2023 11:18

Burnoutwhat · 29/10/2023 11:15

I worked in retail in a supermarket through my 2 year masters and after fir a bit. Even though it was 10 years ago I find it hugely irritating that you have just decided people would like to work long hours on Sunday. You don't even normally shop on a Sunday!

There are plenty of jobs you can work on a Sunday if want. Let the retail staff have one evening they know they won't be working ffs

I haven't decided anything!! No skin off my nose. I just think it's a discussion worth having. Especially as the high st is struggling. Not even just talking about supermarkets

OP posts:
hopeishere · 29/10/2023 11:22

Think yourself lucky. I'm Northern Ireland they don't open to 1pm on a Sunday. Pain in the bum. Also loads of tourists bewildered in the city centre looking for an open shop!!

LlynTegid · 29/10/2023 11:27

I think the existing law should stay. Let's have some breaks or reduced hours for shop workers on one day a week, let those with dogs have somewhere quiet to walk in the morning, let us recognise that you can browse to an extent online. Let's not harm small shops by reducing their business.

Only change I would make it to close large shops completely on December 25th, 26th and January 1st.

notprincehamlet · 29/10/2023 11:33

Back in the days when shops were shut on a Sunday we did outdoor family activities on a Sunday or played sport
I'm in a town in SW France. Couple of bakeries were open this morning, otherwise shops are closed. Cyclists are enjoying the quiet roads, some dog walkers and joggers are around, some fishing happening on the river, some families heading out for walks. No one seems to be desperately sad that the shops aren't open.

MrsMoastyToasty · 29/10/2023 11:35

It's more than enough to just open 6 hours on a Sunday, but then again I'm old enough to remember when shops didn't open at all on on a Sunday and many closed on a weekday afternoon too, even in a city like Bristol.

madeinmanc · 29/10/2023 11:36

If we abolish reduced hours on a Sunday we will lose something to commercialisation that will never be regained. It would never go back. It was promised that workers wouldn't have to work Sundays if they didn't want to when Sunday trading was introduced, but obviously that was soon forgotten. Why should every day be given over to commercialism and consumption?

You're saying it's outdated but why? I see people are quite happy to maintain other Christian traditions that they pick and choose from, btw I am not a Christian so don't think I'm pushing that. Why throw something down the drain that is beneficial to the mind and to society for no real reason?

MotherOfCatBoy · 29/10/2023 11:43

I remember when the shops didn’t open at all on Sundays, apart from little corner shops and petrol stations. It was nicer, more peaceful, less traffic, a day for seeing friends , outdoors, or watching movies. I miss that. And the shops used to close half day on a Wednesday.
I get that people need access to shops and perhaps that is catered for now by supermarkets being open until 10pm or even 24 hours. Also back then we didn’t have the luxury of online ordering and delivery. I think there is more than enough access 6 days a week and shops shutting on Sunday would be lovely.
I am not religious, but I would appreciate one day with a slower pace of life.

AutumnBonfires · 29/10/2023 11:45

Yeah people are crying out to work in a noisy, over crowded, now stop complaining environment on poor pay and crap conditions. Bring the 24 hours on a Sunday on purlease.

GrumpyPanda · 29/10/2023 11:45

Caspianberg · 29/10/2023 10:41

Try living in mainland Europe, nothing is open at all. Not even for 1 min on a Sunday. The only place is the petrol stations or some train station shops if large city.

Our supermarket closes 5pm Saturday, reopens 7am Monday. Locally most other stores if not chains, even garden centres close 12pm Saturday also, then all
day Sunday.

Depends where. Dutch supermarkets are open in many places. No restrictions at all AFAIK in Sweden. Poland had Sunday trading until a few years ago and the new govt may re-introduce it as the ban wasn't popular. And that's just what I can think of off-hand. Always amusing how MN treats "Europe" as though it were a single country.

ArtG · 29/10/2023 11:46

Personally, I think all supermarkets and large stores should be closed on Sundays to give smaller high street retailers a better chance of survival. One day a week without the competition might make all the difference and give us high streets that have more than charity shops and estate agents.