Member Article

Olympic Sunday trading Bill enters House of Lords

The Bill outlining plans to suspend Sunday Trading Laws during this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games has had its first reading in the House of Lords today.

Lord Sassoon initiated the first steps in the Bill’s passage through the Lords, which proposes to temporarily suspend Sunday Trading Laws in order to maximise opportunities during the games.

The suspension will mean that shops with a floor space of more than 280 sq metres will not be restricted on Sunday opening hours for eight weeks, from July 22 to the end of the Paralympic Games on September 9.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The London Olympic and Paralympic Games are an opportunity to showcase not just London but the whole of the United Kingdom.

“By suspending Sunday trading laws in England and Wales, on a temporary basis, we will not only contribute to the overall experience of visitors to the Olympics, but it will also provide a boost in sales and employment to the economy.

“The Bill will allow more flexibility over the Olympics period, for shoppers, retailers and workers alike.

“Retail workers will keep all their legal protections, such as the right to opt-out of Sunday working, but many will want to take the opportunity to work extra or different hours.

“So I encourage employers to talk to their staff about how we can all make the most of the Olympics.

“I also want to make it clear that this is a temporary measure and not a test case for a more permanent relaxation of the rules in the future.”

Retail consultant, Graham Soult, commented: “There is a question as to whether the extra trade that retailers experience on Sunday would have come throughout the week anyway.

“It will be interesting to see if these extended hours will be taken up outside of the obvious Olympic areas, such as Westfield Stratford City - will it filter to other parts of the country?

“Clearly larger retailers will welcome the changes, which give them more flexibility, but it remains to be seen to what extent they will take advantage of this.

“I think on the whole, there has been much debate over longer Sunday trading for some years, and at least after this summer we will have a clearer idea of how it works.”

Any changes will require fast-tracked primary legislation, given the close proximity of the Olympics.

The Bill is expected to receive second and third reading shortly after the House of Lords returns from recess, after which it will follow the same process in the House of Commons and if successfully passed, is expected to receive Royal Assent at the beginning of May.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .