FSB welcomes decision to safeguard Sunday trading laws

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed today’s announcement to maintain the status quo regarding Sunday trading laws. The FSB has argued that any relaxation of the laws would be highly damaging for the future of small, independent retailers, who are already under the greatest financial and operational strain in the retail industry.

Alistair Darling, Trade and Industry Secretary, made the announcement following a consultation that revealed strong opposition to any change in the rules on Sunday trading for large stores.

The law forbids retail outlets with more than 3,000 square feet of trading space from opening for more than six hours on Sundays, giving small shops a vital advantage in their struggle to compete with supermarkets and large retail chains.

David Dexter, FSB Lincolnshire Region Chairman, said:“Small, independent shops offer consumers personal service, value for money, specialist products, diversity and variety. They would be sorely missed if they were allowed to be driven out of business by unfair competition from supermarkets and retail chains.”

“Any relaxation in the law would have put immense pressure on many small shops already open for over 60 hours a week in a bid to compete with multiple retailers. It is great news that the Government has listened to the views of small businesses on this issue.”

“Keeping the Sunday trading laws as they are will go some way to protecting independent retailing and ensuring that the UK remains a nation of shopkeepers.”