The NFRN has joined the growing number of voices condemning the Westminster Government’s plans to suspend Sunday trading laws in England and Wales.
The Federation’s National President Stuart Reddish (pictured) appealed directly to Boris Johnson to scrap the move, which is intended to kick start the country’s tanking economy amid the coronavirus crisis.
In a video message, Reddish – owner of Baxters convenience store and post office in Sheffield – told the Prime Minister: “If you value us, don’t give Sundays to the supermarkets.”
Speaking from his store, Mr Reddish explained how the current Sundays had worked well, giving independent retailers a “key advantage” over their multiple rivals.
“People want their local stores to thrive, not to be overwhelmed by the supermarkets,” he added.
Johnson was reminded that independent retailers were at the heart of their communities and offered customers essential services. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, people had turned to their local stores and it was important for the government to support them and their communities.
Allowing supermarkets to open for longer than the allotted six hours “would not increase business”, Reddish said. “It will just move it around, costing jobs, threatening businesses and damaging the high street.”
The Prime Minister was also reminded that a Populus survey showed that 58% of the public was in favour of Sunday trading laws.
According to a leaked government report, the laws – first introduced in 1994 – could be suspended for up to a year, enabling shops of 3,000sq ft and over to be open for more than six hours on a Sunday.
Spar UK Managing Director Louise Hoste slammed the proposal last week: “We are outraged that the government are planning to suspend Sunday trading laws.”
Hoste also said changing the law would be an affront that would put family businesses at risk.
