Symbol groups angered by Sunday trading plans

Spar UK managing director, Louise Hoste, told Talking Retail: “We are outraged to read that the government are planning to suspend Sunday trading laws. The proposals to deregulate Sunday trading hours would have a personal impact on our independent Spar family businesses.

“Spar stores meet local demands in villages and towns. Stores are essential lifelines not only for the vulnerable but for a healthy thriving local community. This has never been more evident than it is now during this pandemic, when independent Spar stores have supported the nation, given their all to communities, and worked tirelessly to help vulnerable people. By changing the law now and put independent family convenience businesses at risk would be an affront.”

A spokesperson for Costcutter Supermarkets Group added: “We firmly oppose any changes to Sunday trading regulations. We understand the direct impact this would have on our independent retailers and others across the sector. As such we are making direct representation to government on behalf of our retailers to strongly oppose such proposals.”

Costcutter said there has been very little evidence presented over the years that any relaxation to Sunday trading laws is something shoppers want and that this would benefit the wider economy.

“It also appears to undermine the stance that has been taken across the grocery sector and government to work together to help feed the nation during the recent Covid-19 response,” Costcutter added.

In addition, Parfetts, which operates the Go Local symbol group, has called for an urgent review of the proposed changes.

Guy Swindell, retail director at Parfetts, said: “During the Covid-19 crisis, it’s been independent retailers who stepped up to serve local communities, help with vulnerable and elderly people, and provide an essential service. What would these communities have looked like through lockdown without their local store? It shows how key they are to communities.

“A relaxation of Sunday trading will impact convenience stores who have taken on additional costs to comply with social distancing requirements and recruited new staff from the local area to meet demand. It has the potential to lead to real issues. The government needs to urgently look again at this issue because it has significant unintended consequences. Beyond that is sends out a very negative message to these small businesses who have done so much for communities over the last four months. We will be making our concerns clear to our industry bodies on behalf of our retailers.”

Darren Goldney, managing director of Unitas Wholesale, has challenged chancellor Rishi Sunak and business secretary Alok Sharma to reconsider the potential relaxation of Sunday trading laws in order to protect the future of independent retailers.

He said: “During the Coronavirus crisis, small independent convenience retailers have provided a vital lifeline to the communities they serve. They have continued to trade through the most challenging conditions to provide essential support, products and services, all at huge personal risk. They have adapted their businesses, modified their stores and gone the extra mile again and again to ensure their customers, often the most vulnerable in their communities, have the products they need during the crisis.

“These small convenience stores are already competing with the ever-increasing power of the multiples, and benefit enormously from periods of time such as Sunday trading periods. By relaxing Sunday trading laws, even temporarily, small stores will see their footfall and sales reduce which will result in unemployment and even business closure for those stores already struggling with rising staff costs and the demands of the Covid-19 crisis.

“At Unitas Wholesale, we recognise the need to stimulate the economy however this must be possible without sacrificing this vital channel. I implore the government to think again and work with us to protect the livelihoods of small independent convenience retailers across the UK.”