Sunday Trading
The Sunday Trading Act 1994
regulates the opening hours of large shops, unless exempted, on
Sundays and prohibits large shops from opening on Easter
Sunday.
The Christmas Day (Trading) Act
2004 prohibits large shops from opening on Christmas Day.
All other shops may open without restriction unless limited by
their planning permission.
Large Shop
One with a relevant floor area of
more than 280m2/3000 sq ft.
The internal floor area in a
building used for serving customers or display of goods.
Permitted Sunday Trading
Hours
The hours a large shop can open
are limited to a maximum continuous period of six hours between
10.00am and 6.00pm.
Sunday Trading Hours
Notice
The hours of Sunday opening by a
large shop must be displayed at the premises, so as to be clearly
visible inside and outside the shop.
Exemptions
Large shops that fall into the
following categories are exempt from the Sunday Trading Act 1994
and the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004:
- Farm shop selling wholly or mainly produce from that farm.
- Shop selling wholly or mainly intoxicating liquor.
- The sale of motor and cycle parts and accessories.
- A registered pharmacy, or a shop, which sells only medicinal
products, and/or medical and surgical appliances.
- A shop in the passenger sections of a designated airport.
- A shop in a railway station.
- A shop in a service area, as defined by the Highways Act
1980.
- A petrol filling station.
- Shops supplying vessels and aircraft arriving at, or departing
from ports or airports.
- Stands at exhibitions used for retail sale.
It is an offence for large shops
to open on Easter Sunday, Christmas day or for longer than their
permitted hours on any other Sunday punishable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding £50,000.00.
Our Aims
To ensure that all large shops
within the Rochford District Council area, as defined by the Act,
adhere to the legislation as prescribed by the Sunday Trading Act
1994.
How We Do This
By
investigating complaints (members of the public are encouraged
to report premises breaching Sunday Trading legislation) regarding
Sunday Trading and by providing advice to businesses and residents
regarding Sunday Trading.
If you need any further
information, or wish to report premises breaching Sunday Trading
legislation please contact us using 'Contact the Council'
link at the top of this page, then select Sunday Trading from the
Department Name drop down menu.