Legal experts have predicted attempts to abolish Sunday trading restrictions could be the next target on the agendas of big retailers following the liberalisation of licensing laws. The act will give pubs powers to open round-the-clock seven days a week from 2005.
Licensing solicitor Peter Coulson said the fact pubs would be able to open freely on Sunday undermined the premise that Sunday was a sacred day. “There is going to be pressure on the government as soon as pubs are allowed to open before noon on Sunday because big retailers will object to the fact they can only trade for six hours.”
Chris Mitchener of licensing consultants Lockett & Co added: “The new licensing law will prove the nonsense of Sunday trading. It has got to be the next area to change.”
The multiples have so far refused to get involved in the debate. Gabrielle Williamson, Safeway’s store operations controller, said: “We have enough to work through with implementing the licensing law.”
But the Association of Convenience Stores, whose members are likely to object to the deregulation of Sunday trading, played down the prospect. Public affairs executive Shane Brennan said: “The government has a commitment to enforce Sunday trading.”
>>p34 Open all hours
Licensing solicitor Peter Coulson said the fact pubs would be able to open freely on Sunday undermined the premise that Sunday was a sacred day. “There is going to be pressure on the government as soon as pubs are allowed to open before noon on Sunday because big retailers will object to the fact they can only trade for six hours.”
Chris Mitchener of licensing consultants Lockett & Co added: “The new licensing law will prove the nonsense of Sunday trading. It has got to be the next area to change.”
The multiples have so far refused to get involved in the debate. Gabrielle Williamson, Safeway’s store operations controller, said: “We have enough to work through with implementing the licensing law.”
But the Association of Convenience Stores, whose members are likely to object to the deregulation of Sunday trading, played down the prospect. Public affairs executive Shane Brennan said: “The government has a commitment to enforce Sunday trading.”
>>p34 Open all hours
No comments yet