Sunday Trading

If you want to open your shop on Sundays you need to be aware that there are restrictions on the number of hours you can open for.  Small shops are exempt from these restrictions.  If the retail area of your shop is less than 280 square metres then you can open for as long as you wish.

However, large shops (with a retail area of over 280 square metres) are only allowed to open 6 hours for the sale of goods by retail on Sundays.  They are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday (or Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday).

You must display the Sunday opening times both inside and outside your shop.

The Regulatory Reform (Sunday Trading) Order 2004 removed the requirement for large shops in England and Wales to give prior written notice to Local Authorities of their intended Sunday Trading hours or to notify any changes to the Authority.  The Order also removes the requirement for Local Authorities to maintain a register of premises and their opening hours on Sundays.

Exemptions

• Public Houses, Off-Licences and take-aways (opening hours for these are governed by their licence or planning consent requirements)
• Chemists and pharmacies (where only medical goods are sold)
• Shops in railway stations
• Petrol filling stations and service areas
• Motor accessory shops
• Farm shops
• Exhibition stands

Sunday Trading Order (link to Government legislation webpage)

Contact Details

For further advice and guidance on Sunday trading laws, and clarification as to enforcement responsibility please contact:

Email: fhsadmin@tendringdc.gov.uk
Address:
Environmental Services
88-90 Pier Avenue
Clacton on Sea
Essex
CO15 1TN
Telephone: 01255 686767