Would You Support Extended Sunday Opening Hours in Wrexham?

Concerns that local authorities could end up competing with each other if powers for Sunday Trading Laws are handed to local Councils have been rasied – with town centre traders urged to think whether they are for or against the measures.

At present under the 1994 Sunday Trading Act stores over 3,000sq ft are limited to opening for six hours on Sundays. Smaller stores, such as convenience stores can open for longer.

However in this summer’s budget the Chancellor announced plans to hand new powers to local councils and authorities in England and Wales, which would allow the relaxation of Sunday opening hours.

The issue was raised by Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones last month, who urged the Prime Minister to think again about changing Sunday trading hours.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Clwyd South MP quoted Government retail sector champion Kevin Hawkins who described the current laws as “a workable compromise that most people seem satisfied with most of the time”.

Susan Elan Jones MP said: “There’s a balance to be kept here – between opening hours for big stores, the rights of small shops and the rights of shop-workers and their families to enjoy family life. The current laws are a good compromise that most people agree with. We should stick with them.”

MPs had been set to vote on the changes at the end of October, however this has since been delayed to give Ministers more time to win support for the proposals.

Speaking at this month’s Town Centre Forum Meeting, Manager of Eagles Meadow, Kevin Critchley said: “The whole town could open on Sundays. It is unlikely all of town will, it’s only national and regional stores who do.

“The concern though is if the legislation comes in, out of town premises will also qualify or be able to to ask. In Wrexham when we’ve lost a lot of business to Broughton or Cheshire Oaks and to the edge of town; if that goes through I think we need to let our Council know what our thoughts are. Would we be in favour or against?

“We could end up with local authority competing against local authority. If Wrexham doesn’t, we will be at a disadvantage. It might be something the Forum needs to think about as there will be a time when the Council needs to consult.”

Mr Critchley added: “A lot of retailers are against it. It is favouriting department stores disguised as supermarkets rather than chain stores. It wouldn’t favour the independent.”

However Mary Williams, from Wrexham’s ASDA said: “Staff in general were against extended Sunday opening, we only get two days off per year.”

Earlier this year the idea of having extended opening hours on a Thursday evening in Wrexham Town Centre, or more shops taking advantage of Sunday trading was discussed – however aside from Christmas shopping and Eagles Meadow, the idea has yet to come to fruition in the town.

Speaking about the potential changes to Sunday Trading Laws, Mr Critchley added: “The danger is you’ll end up having to defend your own slice of the cake as there will be competition for market trading. It is a real possibility.”