Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Why are supermarkets allowed to open all day on Sunday now?

94 replies

Denise34 · 12/08/2012 19:40

Just been past Tesco and noticed that they are now open from 6am to midnight on sundays! Has there been a change in the law?

OP posts:
vj32 · 12/08/2012 19:41

Its only during the Olympics and Paralymics.

PinkWinePixie · 12/08/2012 19:41

Only til the Paralympics are over,I think

vodkaanddietirnbru · 12/08/2012 19:41

was it not temporarily changed due to the olympics

p.s. I am in Scotland and ours is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week

OlaRapaceFru · 12/08/2012 19:42

I think it's only happening during the Olympics. I noticed something on a news website (BBC?), just before the Olympics started, about this. I imagine it will carry on until the Paralympics have finished and then they have to go back to normal Sunday trading.

McHappyPants2012 · 12/08/2012 19:48

I don't see why they have to. It should be down to the owner not the government

LRDtheFeministDragon · 12/08/2012 19:48

The ones that count as 'locals' can also open late, under the old rules that go back to when local shops were your corner shop doing pints of milk and so on, but lots of supermarkets near us count as 'local' and are actually pretty big, so you could do your weekly shop there. I guess it's become a loophole, but it's very convenient.

Denise34 · 12/08/2012 19:49

I think the one near us is one of the biggest in the country, can't see it being classed as local.

OP posts:
danteV · 12/08/2012 19:50

Shops under a certain square footage can open whenever they want.
How it has been changed for larger stores until paralypics are over.
Personally I think Ts a weird and silly rule.

OlaRapaceFru · 12/08/2012 19:54

Just found the link from the BBC News website www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18942729

notsofrownieface · 12/08/2012 19:56

It is due to the Olympics and a relax of the Sunday trading laws. I work in retail and to me Sunday is just another day of the week.

Denise34 · 12/08/2012 19:56

I think they should not open on sundays.

OP posts:
danteV · 12/08/2012 19:58

Is there a reason you feel that way?

workshy · 12/08/2012 20:01

shops over 3,000sqft are usually restricted to 6 hours on a sunday

the gift shop in the olymic park is bigger than this so under normal rules would of had to shut after 6 hours so they have lifted the rules until September 9th

I work in retail and we are praying it's not a permanent change!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 12/08/2012 20:03

I think it's nice there's one day when shops don't open late, because it means there's less traffic around the area, a bit of a rest on the floodlit car parks, etc. etc. But then it's convenient and we're all working much longer hours than people did a few generations ago, so maybe it is necessary. I think having small ones open is a good compromise.

TitWillow · 12/08/2012 20:12

I didn't realise you still had Sunday trading down south. Grin How quaint.

MadeleineAlright · 12/08/2012 20:13

It's brilliant.

ShipMate · 12/08/2012 20:14

Why Denise34? I can't understand why the law should restrict any shop from opening whenever they like on a Sunday. Bizarre.

MrsKeithRichards · 12/08/2012 20:15

Tit I agree it all seems very quaint!

Denise34 · 12/08/2012 20:16

Sunday should be the day of rest. It should be a family day.

OP posts:
ravenAK · 12/08/2012 20:17

Don't like supermarkets muscling out smaller stores, but not keen on superstitious Sunday bollocks either, so,...meh, really.

Don't likey, don't go in 'em.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 12/08/2012 20:20

Why, denise? And what if you don't have family?

I think part of the reason it's good local shops open Sundays is that, if someone is elderly and living alone, popping out for a pint of milk could be their only interaction with someone else all day. I know my neighbour will never let me go buy her milk for that reason - she doesn't mind the walk, she just wants to go and stand in a queue and have a natter.

McHappyPants2012 · 12/08/2012 20:20

Denise if you needed medical treatment you would want nurses and doctors working.

Not every one is off work Sunday

comelywench · 12/08/2012 20:23

Can't believe you still have restrictions on Sunday trading down south. I could never get used to your licensing rules in pubs either.

I wish shops weren't open on a Sunday and so much over the festive period. Not for religious reasons, but because I think it's a shame for people who work in retail (I used to). Although our lives are busier and we work longer hours I think we should be able to manage with 6 days 24hrs open, and then let everyone have a break. If I were PM I would also want businesses to close for three days over Christmas and three days over new year. Again, so that everyone could have a proper break. A little less work and a little more life please!!

I sound old don't I?

ilovesooty · 12/08/2012 20:25

Yes, lots of people have to work on Sundays. I'd like shop opening hours to be completely free of restrictions.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 12/08/2012 20:25

That's true, although it's convenient I find something depressing about supermarkets around Christmas.

You don't sound old, btw, my parents who still believe you can't shop on Sunday sound old! Grin

Swipe left for the next trending thread