Andy Burnham told to abolish Sunday trading laws in England this October – ‘relic’
Andy Burnham has been urged to abolish England’s Sunday trading restrictions as business leaders call on the Government to use its autumn Budget to boost economic growth, attract international shoppers and help British retailers compete with major shopping destinations abroad.
The London Chamber of Commerce has called for the Prime Minister to scrap the rules that restrict large shops in England and Wales to six hours of trading on Sundays. The organisation argues that the legislation belongs to a different era of retail and no longer reflects the way people work, shop and travel.
The intervention comes ahead of the Government’s Budget, which is expected to set out its priorities for the economy, taxation and business investment. Business organisations have been invited to submit proposals for measures they believe could stimulate growth, and the Chamber has put Sunday trading reform among its key recommendations.
Under the current arrangements, large shops above a specified floor-space threshold are generally restricted to trading for six consecutive hours on Sundays. For many major supermarkets, department stores and homeware retailers, that means opening for a limited period in the middle of the day.
The London Chamber of Commerce believes removing the restrictions would allow businesses to make better use of customer demand, particularly in the capital, where tourism, international visitors and workers with varied schedules contribute to a seven-day economy.
The proposal is likely to reopen a long-running debate about the balance between commercial freedom, workers’ rights, religious traditions and the future of Britain’s high streets.
For supporters of reform, Sunday trading restrictions are an unnecessary obstacle to growth. For critics, however, extending opening hours could create additional pressure on retail workers and smaller businesses while offering uncertain economic benefits.
Andy Burnham has been told to abolish the Sunday trading laws (Image: Getty)
With the Budget approaching, the issue presents the Government with a choice about how far it is prepared to go in changing established rules in pursuit of economic growth.
Business leaders call for Sunday trading reform
The London Chamber of Commerce has argued that the existing restrictions are increasingly out of step with modern consumer behaviour.
In its submission, the organisation described the rules as a “relic of a different era of retail and a different pattern of life”.
It said the restrictions have a particular impact on London, where shopping districts depend on tourists, visitors attending events and residents whose working hours do not always follow a conventional Monday-to-Friday schedule.
The Chamber argues that Sunday is one of the most commercially valuable days of the week and that restricting the opening hours of large shops prevents businesses from responding fully to demand.
Its proposal is based on the principle that retailers should decide when to open according to customer needs, staffing arrangements and local trading conditions, rather than being subject to a nationally imposed limit.
The organisation also argues that reform could be introduced without direct public spending.
In its submission, the Chamber said allowing retailers and shopping hubs to decide their own opening hours would be a growth measure that could be implemented at “zero cost to the Exchequer”.
That argument could appeal to a Government seeking ways to encourage private-sector activity without committing significant additional public funds.
However, removing a legal restriction does not automatically guarantee higher economic output. The impact would depend on whether shoppers spend more overall, simply redistribute their spending across the week, or move purchases between different retailers.
The Government would therefore need to weigh the potential benefits against the concerns of employees, independent shops and communities that may experience the effects of longer trading hours differently.
Why London is at the centre of the debate
The Chamber’s argument focuses heavily on London’s position as an international shopping destination.
The capital attracts overseas visitors who combine shopping with hotel stays, restaurant visits, cultural attractions and other leisure activities. Major shopping districts also serve residents, commuters and people working outside traditional office hours.
The organisation believes restrictions on Sunday opening can make London less convenient for visitors who expect to shop throughout the day.
It specifically compares London with cities such as Paris, Milan and Dubai, arguing that international destinations with fewer comparable restrictions can offer visitors greater flexibility.
The Chamber has questioned why major shopping areas should face a requirement to close earlier on Sunday when demand may remain strong into the evening.
The concern is that tourists who find shops closed may decide to spend their money elsewhere, potentially affecting businesses beyond retail itself.
A visitor who plans a shopping trip may also book accommodation, eat at local restaurants and spend money on transport and entertainment. The Chamber argues that encouraging international shopping could therefore support a wider tourism economy.
Nevertheless, the scale of any benefit would depend on visitor behaviour, the availability of staff, local transport and whether retailers actually choose to extend their hours.
London’s shopping districts also face other competitive pressures, including commercial rents, business costs, exchange rates and changing consumer preferences.
Sunday trading reform could address one restriction, but it would not resolve every challenge facing the capital’s retail sector.
What the current law means for shoppers
Under the existing Sunday trading rules in England and Wales, large shops exceeding 280 square metres are generally permitted to open for no more than six hours on Sundays, subject to the applicable legal requirements and exceptions.
This is why many large retailers commonly open between late morning and late afternoon, with individual businesses choosing their own six-hour window.
Smaller shops are generally not subject to the same six-hour restriction, although other legal requirements may still apply.
The rules do not mean that every shop must close at 4pm or 5pm. Rather, large shops are restricted in the total period during which they can trade, and their opening schedules can vary.
Scotland operates under a different legal framework, and the Sunday trading restrictions applying in England and Wales do not apply there in the same way.
Supporters of reform argue that these differences demonstrate that alternative approaches to Sunday retailing are possible within the UK.
If the Government chose to abolish or substantially relax the restrictions in England, large retailers could potentially open earlier, remain open later or spread their permitted trading hours differently.
That could give customers more flexibility, particularly those who work weekends or have caring responsibilities during the week.
But longer opening hours would also require businesses to decide whether additional staffing and operating costs could be justified by the expected sales.
For some retailers, extended hours might create new opportunities. For others, the extra costs could outweigh the additional revenue.
A controversial legacy dating back decades
Sunday trading has long been a politically sensitive subject in Britain.
Restrictions on Sunday commerce developed from a combination of religious traditions, employment considerations and historical attitudes towards a shared day of rest.
As shopping habits changed, the rules became the subject of repeated debate about whether the law should reflect traditional expectations or modern economic realities.
The London Chamber of Commerce points to the history of reform attempts, noting that Margaret Thatcher attempted to abolish Sunday trading restrictions in 1986.
The issue has continued to divide opinion because it reaches beyond the question of when shops should open.
For some people, Sunday remains an important opportunity to spend time with family, attend religious services or enjoy leisure without the pressures of work. Retail employees may be concerned that longer opening hours could make weekend shifts more difficult to manage.
Others argue that a modern economy should not impose uniform trading hours on businesses when consumer demand varies significantly between locations.
The debate is therefore not simply about whether shops should be allowed to open later. It is also about who should have the power to make that decision and what protections should apply to workers.
Any reform would need to consider how extended trading hours might affect employees’ schedules, voluntary Sunday working arrangements and the ability of smaller retailers to compete.
VAT-free shopping also on the Chamber’s agenda
Sunday trading is not the only change the London Chamber of Commerce wants the Government to consider.
The organisation has also called for the reintroduction of VAT-free shopping for international visitors, a scheme abolished in 2020.
Under the previous arrangements, eligible overseas visitors could obtain VAT refunds on qualifying purchases when taking goods out of the country, subject to the scheme’s conditions.
The Chamber argues that ending the scheme weakened London’s competitiveness against European shopping destinations where eligible visitors can still benefit from tax-refund arrangements.
Its submission claims that international shoppers may find purchases in London less attractive when compared with similar goods in Paris, Milan or Madrid.
The organisation believes the consequences extend beyond the VAT collected on individual transactions. If visitors choose to shop elsewhere, London could also lose associated spending on hotels, restaurants, transport and other tourism services.
The Chamber’s argument is that the overall economic cost of losing visitor spending may be greater than the immediate tax revenue gained by ending the scheme.
However, restoring VAT-free shopping would involve a separate policy decision with implications for public revenue and the Government’s wider tax strategy.
Ministers would need to assess whether the potential increase in international spending would justify the cost of reintroducing the arrangement.
The proposal highlights a broader tension in economic policymaking: a tax measure may raise revenue directly while potentially affecting the spending decisions of consumers and businesses.
EU relations and Heathrow expansion among wider demands
The Chamber’s submission also calls for the Government to renegotiate a new deal with the European Union, support a third runway at Heathrow Airport and designate areas along London’s Elizabeth and Jubilee lines as an artificial intelligence investment zone.
Together, the recommendations reflect the organisation’s wider focus on international competitiveness, transport capacity, technology investment and the conditions required for businesses to expand.
A closer economic relationship with the EU could potentially affect trade and business operations, although the details of any agreement would determine its practical impact.
Heathrow expansion, meanwhile, remains a complex infrastructure question involving capacity, investment, environmental considerations and the impact on surrounding communities.
The proposed AI investment zone would seek to encourage technology-related activity along important transport corridors, but its success would depend on the design of the scheme, infrastructure provision, business demand and any incentives offered.
These proposals would require separate assessments and decisions. Their inclusion in the Chamber’s submission does not mean the Government has accepted them or committed to implementing them.
Nevertheless, the breadth of the recommendations shows that business leaders are seeking a combination of regulatory changes, tax reform and infrastructure investment to strengthen London’s economic position.
Sunday trading reform is one of the more immediately recognisable proposals because it would involve changing an established rule affecting everyday commercial activity.
What the Budget could mean for retailers
The Government’s forthcoming Budget is expected to provide an opportunity to set out its approach to taxation, public spending and economic growth.
The Chamber wants ministers to treat Sunday trading reform as a practical measure that could allow private businesses to respond more freely to demand.
For the Government, the attraction would be the possibility of encouraging additional commercial activity without a major direct spending commitment.
But the decision would also carry political implications.
Retail employees and trade unions could question whether longer opening hours would improve wages and employment opportunities or instead create pressure to work less convenient shifts.
Small independent retailers might welcome greater freedom to trade but worry that large chains could use their resources to extend opening hours and attract more customers.
Some consumers would value the convenience of later Sunday shopping, while others might see little benefit if they already have sufficient opportunities to shop during the week.
The economic outcome would therefore depend on how businesses responded and whether longer opening hours generated additional sales rather than simply shifting existing purchases to different times.
Ministers could also consider whether a national change would be appropriate or whether a more limited approach would better account for differences between major city centres, suburban areas and smaller communities.
No final policy decision should be inferred from the Chamber’s recommendation alone.
Will Sunday trading laws be abolished in October?
The London Chamber of Commerce has called for the Government to abolish Sunday trading restrictions as part of its proposals for the Budget. That is a request from a business organisation, not confirmation that the law will be changed.
The original report refers to an October Budget and identifies Sunday trading as one of several measures being urged on the Government. The precise parliamentary timetable and any subsequent policy announcements would need to be confirmed through official sources.
If ministers decided to proceed, legislation or other appropriate legal changes would be needed to determine how the current restrictions would be removed or revised. The details would matter: abolishing the six-hour limit would not necessarily mean every large shop would immediately open all day on Sunday.
Individual retailers would still have to assess customer demand, staffing, operating costs and commercial priorities.
For shoppers, the most visible change could be the possibility of longer opening hours at large supermarkets, department stores and other major retailers. For businesses, the potential benefit would be greater freedom to choose their own trading schedules.
The question for the Government is whether that flexibility would deliver enough economic value to justify changing a long-standing policy.
A decision balancing growth and workers’ rights
The call to scrap Sunday trading restrictions has placed a familiar issue back on the political agenda: should the state continue to regulate when large retailers can trade, or should businesses have greater freedom to decide for themselves?
The London Chamber of Commerce believes the current rules are outdated and particularly damaging to London’s ability to compete for international visitor spending. It argues that reform could support retail activity and the wider tourism economy without requiring direct public expenditure.
Opponents may counter that longer trading hours could place additional demands on retail workers, intensify competition for smaller businesses and fail to generate substantial new spending.
Both questions are central to assessing the proposal. The potential gains should not be assumed, but neither should the economic consequences of maintaining restrictions be ignored.
As the Budget approaches, ministers will have to decide which recommendations deserve further consideration and which fit their wider economic priorities.
For now, the call to abolish Sunday trading laws remains a proposal from business leaders rather than a confirmed Government policy. Whether the rules are changed will depend on the Government’s decisions, the legislative process and how ministers balance commercial freedom against the social and employment considerations surrounding Sunday work.
The debate is likely to continue because it touches on more than shopping hours. It concerns the kind of economy Britain wants to build, how it competes internationally and how the benefits of growth should be balanced with the interests of the people who make that economy function.