sunday hours

[tracy260674]

why do shops only open 6 hours on a sunday?

[kaztuz]

It is the law - that's why.

Before shops were allowed to open on a Sunday, the government decided that they would be allowed to open, but only for 6 hours. It is all to do with them not wanting family life disrupted too much and people not having to spend 'the day of rest' working, etc. Basically they are trying not to alter tradition too much, as shops would open at all times if they could.

[CheekyChops]

It's the law. Large shops are only allowed to open 5 hours on a Sunday but smaller ones, such as newsagents, are exempt.

[CheekyChops]

Oops, that should say 6 hours, not 5!

[Reverandfunk]

Because they are open for a ridiculous number of hours monday to saturday

[buildersmate]

I think the size that determines whether a shop is small or not is 3000 square feet of floor area.
It was also a 'sop' to the CofE who lobbied for the constraint - which is why no shop is allowed to open on Easter Sunday.

[THECORBYLOON]

The Sunday six-hour limit does not apply in Scotland and as for no shops being allowed to open on Easter Sunday, that does not apply to small shops.

[buildersmate]

I stand corrected.
'no BIG shop in England and Wales' then. Thanks C.