Sunday trading move betrays 'poverty of ambition and belongs in the past', says retail industry chief as Belfast Council pushes for longer shop opening hours
A push to have Sunday morning shopping in Belfast betrays the city council’s “poverty of ambition”, a retail industry body has said – arguing that new and better ideas are needed for Northern Ireland’s capital.
The chief executive of Retail NI, Glyn Roberts, argued extended trading is an idea that “belongs in the past” and, as it will mainly apply to large chain stores, would hit the takings of small independent businesses that are already allowed to open on Sunday mornings.
At the same time, a union representing shop workers maintained it would "take a heavy toll on staff” who will lose out on time they could spend relaxing with their loved ones or at church.
This week, Belfast officials launched a consultation on having the city designated as a holiday resort, which would allow for extended Sunday opening hours.
It’s the second year in a row the idea has come up, as the council had approved a pilot scheme temporarily adopting the resort designation for summer 2025 – only for it to collapse at the last minute when Sinn Fein U-turned on the issue, joining the DUP, SDLP and Greens in opposing the idea.
The pilot scheme’s opponents had argued it would be bad for staff while suggesting street fairs, public arts events or car-free days would be better ways to get people in on a Sunday. The resort designation was supported by tourist authorities, however, who said it would make Belfast more competitive and be better for tourists arriving on cruise ships who are surprised by current opening times.
This year’s version would apply across the whole city from March to September, with officials justifying it by stating Saturday nights are the city’s busiest for hotel stays, yet Sunday sees the centre’s lowest footfall by far.
Only stores with large premises would get to take advantage of the extended hours, leading Retail NI to point out those are mainly branches of multinational chains. The industry body’s chief executive now says visitors and shoppers alike will only be lured in by “new thinking to animate Sunday mornings” that offers something different, and merely having chains open their doors at 9am instead of 1pm won’t cut it.
Said Mr Roberts: “To completely deregulate Sunday trading and create another normal shopping day shows a poverty of ambition and ideas for the city. It is an idea that belongs to the past and not to a modern, progressive 21st century city.
“This proposal will provide large multinationals with even more trading time, directly at the expense of small independent retailers who use trading on Sunday mornings to sustain their business.”
Retail union Usdaw also opposes the move, with general secretary Joanne Thomas expressing disappointment at the council bringing it up again.
“Repeatedly considering extending Sunday trading hours is a distraction from tackling real issues impacting the retail sector,” she said. “Longer Sunday trading would take a heavy toll on staff who would come under even more pressure to work, when they would rather be spending time with family and engaging in community, sports and leisure activities, or attending church.
“Even supporters of extended hours have not been able to show it will lead to economic benefits. Put simply, opening shops for longer does not mean people have more money to spend.”