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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that Sunday trading hours need to be abolished?

476 replies

HFJ · 01/12/2023 10:21

I remember the hullabaloo about Sunday trading back in the late 80s

Whenever I talk to people about this, many usually give the following reasons why Sunday trading restrictions are a good thing:

  1. Everyone can have Sunday lunch/family time together
  2. Retail workers can have some weekend time off

However, I can’t be the only person who thinks the above is BALONEY

On the family time thing, I object for feminist reasons because it usually means a hard-working woman somewhere has to peel potatoes and rustle up a Sunday lunch for everyone else. Then, when she has done all that, can she treat herself to an emergency handbag, pair of shoes, just get away and meet a friend for coffee, or perhaps get the family shopping in on before the working week starts? Can she heck. Why? Because of some Bishops in the house of lords decree that the world should shut and therefore her indoors should remain indoors.

On the weekend time off thing, I really don’t see what the issue is. There are plenty of students who would like to and need to work. Also, there’s nothing to stop religious workers asking their employer to prioritise time off on Sunday for them (just as Muslims, Jews, people with caring responsibilites can make requests).

Am I the only one who feels this way?

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 02/12/2023 13:41

sparkellie · 01/12/2023 22:31

Fair enough, but I'm not sure many people who work those jobs would be happy to have their hours changed so they had to work weekends. I'm happy to be proved wrong, but weekends are important to most people, especially parents of younger children, and they don't want to give them up.

Show quote history

Oh yes i can see it now There would be pressure on the ones without kids to do it from both employers and colleugues

Alwaysworriedwoman · 02/12/2023 13:57

Didn't read it

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 14:08

Floooooof · 02/12/2023 11:56

As a long time retail worker, yabu

It's literally 3 hours on a Sunday extra. What do you need so urgently specifically at 9am or 5pm on a Sunday?

To get the shopping and errands done early so that we can go on about our day.

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 02/12/2023 14:10

I think people expect too much.
The people that want them open probably have the weekend off and just assume we all want to be there working on a Sunday when in reality you usually work your hours over the week and dont always have set days you just have to do your fair share of weekends. Yes students can work but you still need older experienced staff to work alongside them. Then there's 24hr opening don't get me started late nights till 8pm and later boxing day new years day bloody Christmas day if they can
Online shopping at your fingertips I mean seriously how many shopping hours do you need.

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 14:10

FUPAgirl · 02/12/2023 11:46

I am curious at the posters who think it's OK for hospitality staff to work Sundays, but not retail? I have no objection to anywhere being open on Sundays, but I really don't agree with anywhere opening on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It was interesting working during the queen's funeral as more places more closed than at Christmas, it was more like the first lockdown. I work Christmas as its the nature of my job, but retail and hospitality staff shouldn't have to.

Why not?

Not everyone is Christian.

People are traveling or just feel like shopping. If businesses want to cater to them and other cohorts, they should be free to do so.

No one is forced to work in these industries.

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 14:14

@Mumtryingtolivethedream so you're happy for shopping malls and high streets to become abandoned wastelands all boarded up because everyone just buys everything from a warehouse instead?
If you order online on a Sunday who do you think is picking and packing your goods - oh that will be the warehouse workers who work on a Sunday 🙄

jannier · 02/12/2023 14:21

HFJ · 01/12/2023 10:21

I remember the hullabaloo about Sunday trading back in the late 80s

Whenever I talk to people about this, many usually give the following reasons why Sunday trading restrictions are a good thing:

  1. Everyone can have Sunday lunch/family time together
  2. Retail workers can have some weekend time off

However, I can’t be the only person who thinks the above is BALONEY

On the family time thing, I object for feminist reasons because it usually means a hard-working woman somewhere has to peel potatoes and rustle up a Sunday lunch for everyone else. Then, when she has done all that, can she treat herself to an emergency handbag, pair of shoes, just get away and meet a friend for coffee, or perhaps get the family shopping in on before the working week starts? Can she heck. Why? Because of some Bishops in the house of lords decree that the world should shut and therefore her indoors should remain indoors.

On the weekend time off thing, I really don’t see what the issue is. There are plenty of students who would like to and need to work. Also, there’s nothing to stop religious workers asking their employer to prioritise time off on Sunday for them (just as Muslims, Jews, people with caring responsibilites can make requests).

Am I the only one who feels this way?

You do know women don't have to do the cooking or housework don't you? You do know roast isn't a must unless you make it and that you can go out shopping and eat between 11am and 4pm it doesn't have to be at 9am or 6pm?
How many shop assistants are also running a home and family the hours were negotiated with unions to give them a break

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 14:24

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 14:14

@Mumtryingtolivethedream so you're happy for shopping malls and high streets to become abandoned wastelands all boarded up because everyone just buys everything from a warehouse instead?
If you order online on a Sunday who do you think is picking and packing your goods - oh that will be the warehouse workers who work on a Sunday 🙄

Exactly. High street merchants need to move with the times. They aren't calling the shots any longer.

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 02/12/2023 15:24

YouAreMyCentreWhenISpinAway · 01/12/2023 15:41

I work in retail. When I got my job I was told I had to work Sundays. I’d really rather not. I’d rather be at home with my family, like you are.

I’m actually looking for a new job as I’m not prepared to work these unsociable hours any longer for no more money.

You can legally opt out of Sunday working just have to give 12weeks notice I think.
Give it a Google for the most up-to-date advice.

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 02/12/2023 15:32

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 14:24

Exactly. High street merchants need to move with the times. They aren't calling the shots any longer.

Show quote history

Didn't say to close them so a bit of an extreme reply to suggest empty abandoned shopping malls like some kind of scene from a post apocalypse movie. Just don't think they need to be open longer.

DeeCeeCherry · 02/12/2023 15:33

I think they should be abolished. So many workers were told Sundays are optional or 1 in 4, but it was a lie. However, capitalism rules. & people who are compelled to traipse round the shop for something to do/ease the urge to spend. The High Street is struggling anyway and Sunday trading hasnt improved that because their stock is still rubbish, bargains are best on their websites. I tried on a pair of boots in a shop last week, checked my phone and they were £5 cheaper online with free click & collect so I just ordered them.

phoenixrosehere · 02/12/2023 15:41

YANBU

Some of us actually enjoy working weekends and holidays. Working retail, found the shifts passed faster during them because it was busier compared to during the week. Less traffic and people on public transport in my area except for during the Christmas season (took bus earlier).

Badbadbunny · 02/12/2023 15:59

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 02/12/2023 15:32

Didn't say to close them so a bit of an extreme reply to suggest empty abandoned shopping malls like some kind of scene from a post apocalypse movie. Just don't think they need to be open longer.

Show quote history

Part of trying to complete with online warehouses is to open the hours when customers want them to be open, which, going by the crowds in shopping centres on Sundays, is Sundays!!

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 16:04

@Mumtryingtolivethedream have you been in many shopping malls lately? Loads of them already look like they are in a post apocalyptic world !
My point has basically been (since the beginning of this thread) is that retailers need to adapt to survive. Currently many open for trade at times when their potential customers are not around to shop - and closed when they are (ie longer on Sundays, later into the evening). It's upside down and the legal rules about Sunday trading doesn't help the retailers.

LaurieStrode · 02/12/2023 16:05

Exactly, @Needmorelego

Merchants better not complain if they won't accommodate their patrons.

Badbadbunny · 02/12/2023 16:12

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 16:04

@Mumtryingtolivethedream have you been in many shopping malls lately? Loads of them already look like they are in a post apocalyptic world !
My point has basically been (since the beginning of this thread) is that retailers need to adapt to survive. Currently many open for trade at times when their potential customers are not around to shop - and closed when they are (ie longer on Sundays, later into the evening). It's upside down and the legal rules about Sunday trading doesn't help the retailers.

I agree. In some of the out of town retail parks we've been to in the last few months, there've been some huge shops that are empty, including a closed down huge John Lewis, several huge Argos stores, obviously Wilkos, and also closed down restaurants and fast food outlets on the same site, such as a boarded up Burger King. Even a very busy "Designer Outlet" on the outskirts of a major city had several empty units which I've never seen before!

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 02/12/2023 18:49

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 08:10

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming what I meant is evenings and Sundays is when a large amount of people have the time to go to the shops - not Tuesday morning at 10.
People don't "use the High Street" because shops are open when they can't get to them, and closed when they can.
It's all upside down now.
Retail needs to change it's mindset. It wouldn't necessarily be people working extra hours - just working different hours. I remember when I worked in one shop we opened at 8.30 and barely saw any customers for the first few hours. The few that we did were just popping in for a newspaper and didn't buy anything else. But in the after school and after work hours we would be very busy. It was just daft - as soon as our customer base was there ready to shop with money in their hands we would literally be turning them away and locking the doors on people wanting to shop. "Sorry it's 5pm we are closing".
I have no desire to go back to working in retail thanks very much. I did my 20 years that.

Maybe people in the UK need to change their lifestyle then. I don't live there, and I've never heard anyone here say they can't get to the shops when they are open. There are always plenty of people around in the centre of town shopping whenever I'm there. When I was young shops were open less hours and we managed to organise our lives around opening hours - back then there was no weekend trading and one late night.

So many people keep banging on about how wonderful WFH is - why can they not take a break during the day to get to the shops? When I worked full time, I did my shopping in my lunch breaks.

The issue as I see it is that shopping has become a hobby for many people and they simply can't cope if they are deprived of being able to indulge that hobby whenever they want to!

ellie09 · 02/12/2023 18:55

We still have Sunday trading hours in Northern Ireland and I dont mind it.

It usually is an excuse to either have a lazy morning with no expectation to be ready and out, or an excuse to get the coats on and go for a lovely walk or trip to the park etc.

The supermarkets are SUPER busy on a Saturday though because of this and as a full time working single mum, this can be frustrating! Ive learned best time to do shopping is after 6pm on a Saturday.

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 18:56

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming "change our lifestyle" ?
Ok we will stop children going to school in the daytime Monday -Friday and the "traditional" working hours of 8-5 Mon-Fri that an awful lot of people still do.
As I said I worked in retail. From about 3.30/4 pm the after-school and the just finished work crowds came out to shop. Just as it was getting busy we would have to say"sorry we are closing now" and literally shove them out the door. Just daft.

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 02/12/2023 18:57

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 02/12/2023 14:10

I think people expect too much.
The people that want them open probably have the weekend off and just assume we all want to be there working on a Sunday when in reality you usually work your hours over the week and dont always have set days you just have to do your fair share of weekends. Yes students can work but you still need older experienced staff to work alongside them. Then there's 24hr opening don't get me started late nights till 8pm and later boxing day new years day bloody Christmas day if they can
Online shopping at your fingertips I mean seriously how many shopping hours do you need.

Well said, and yes people do expect too much! They want to traipse around the shops on Sundays and expect others to work to fulfil their wishes. How often do people need to shop? Other than going to the supermarket I don't spend a lot of time in shops, and I do buy a lot online. A pp said that if we are ordering on a Sunday someone is working that day to fulfil the orders, which isn't necessarily so. I order mostly from actual shops, so they pack my order when the shop opens again during the week, and I know that - I'm not wanting people to be working during the weekend to do it.

If people are spending all their Sundays out shopping maybe they need to look at finding a more worthwhile hobby! How the hell did they manage during lockdown?

MrsSunshine2b · 02/12/2023 19:00

I agree. The average office worker gets 2 days off a week. One of those days, all the shops are closed. Then, we wonder why the High Street is dying.

I'm not Jeff Bezos' biggest fan but I can order something right now and it will arrive tomorrow, on Sunday- but I can't go out and buy the thing tomorrow.

If I could, I'd work on Sunday and take Friday off, when things are actually open

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 19:01

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming shopping isn't a hobby for everyone. It's a life chore for me. If I didn't need to eat and wear clothes I could cut my shopping down by about 85% .

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 19:03

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming ordering a product from an actual shop doesn't mean the item comes from an actual shop. They usually come from a central warehouse.
Food is different - but even some supermarkets your order will come from a warehouse not off the shop floor.

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 19:05

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming it's thanks to lockdown and the fact shops were closed that we have a lot of the problems within the retail industry now.
Many shops never reopened.

ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming · 02/12/2023 19:09

Needmorelego · 02/12/2023 18:56

@ithinkthatmaybeimdreaming "change our lifestyle" ?
Ok we will stop children going to school in the daytime Monday -Friday and the "traditional" working hours of 8-5 Mon-Fri that an awful lot of people still do.
As I said I worked in retail. From about 3.30/4 pm the after-school and the just finished work crowds came out to shop. Just as it was getting busy we would have to say"sorry we are closing now" and literally shove them out the door. Just daft.

As I said, people managed before weekend trading was a thing where I live. I worked either 8 - 5, or 8.30 - 5.30 for over 40 years. Is the UK workplace so draconian that people don't get lunch breaks? Also, as I mentioned, on MN anyway, nearly everyone these days appears to WFH, so your argument doesn't apply to a lot of them.

I've never been in any shop which has had "an after-school or just finished work crowd" swarming in, other than perhaps a supermarket. Shops here are generally very quiet just prior to closing and the staff start cashing up in that last half hour. Why do people apparently need to go to a shop every day? Other than supermarket shopping I probably spend less than an hour in other shops in a week.

I thought shopping had turned into a national pastime here - yet it seems the UK takes it to another level!