UK Government plans ban on Christmas trading
Proposal to regulate larger store openings
April 8 2003
The Department of Trade and Industry has published proposals to prevent stores in England and Wales opening on Christmas Day.
The plan is aimed at preserving the special nature of the day by ensuing there are no competitive pressures on retailers, which could lead to the widespread opening of large stores on Christmas day and a requirement for employees to work.
Currently, stores are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday, but are only prohibited from opening on Chrismas Day when it falls on a Sunday. The regulations apply to stores over 280 sq m, with no restrictions on smaller stores.
There have been concerns that increased customer expectations of every-day opening since the partial deregulation of Sunday trading a decade ago, as well as the growing link between shopping and leisure, could lead to some retailers considering Christmas Day trading.
Employment relations minister, Alan Johnson said: “Regulation will ensure that the special nature of Christmas Day is preserved and that shop workers in large stores are protected from being forced to work.
“We know that the vast majority of major stores do not open on Christmas Day and believe that legislation now will avoid future widespread opening of stores as a result of competitive pressure.”
The DTI said the 1994 Sunday Trading Act, which allows larger store to open for up to six hours,
“appears to have provided a reasonable and enforceable balance,” with “no need to review the operation of the act,” or to re-open the debate on Sunday trading. The position in Scotland will be considered separately by the Scottish Executive.
