AQW 18474/17-22 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities whether extended trading hours has been considered to assist with the recovery of retail and to reduce the potential for crowding.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 6 May 2021
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 6 May 2021
- Answer due by
- 21 May 2021
- Answered
- 18 May 202112 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The main legislation governing retail trading hours for which I am responsible is the Shops (Sunday Trading &c.) (NI) Order 1997 (the 1997 Order). This allows small shops unrestricted opening on Sundays while large shops (i.e. those with a floor area exceeding 280 square metres) are restricted to opening for a maximum of five hours between 1.00pm and 6.00pm.
I understand that some district councils have taken the decision not to pursue enforcement of Sunday trading hours thereby allowing retailers to trade for longer hours.
The Minister for Economy, Diane Dodds, MLA, leads on the economic recovery.