Small shops
Small retail shops may open without restrictions seven days a week.
Large shops
What is a large shop?
Large shops have an internal sales area (the part of the shop within the building that is used for display of goods and customer services) of over 280m2.
Large shop trading hours
On Sunday, large shops may trade only for a continuous period of six hours (falling between 10.00am and 6.00pm) and must provide a sign, visible both internally and externally, specifying the times of trading.
Large shops do not need to notify the Council of Sunday Trading.
Large shop exemptions
The following large shops are exempt from restrictions:
- Farm shops selling produce from that farm
- Shops selling wholly or mainly intoxicating liquor
- Shops selling motor supplies and accessories
- Shops selling cycle supplies and accessories
- Registered pharmacies selling only medicinal products, and medical and surgical appliances
- Any shop at a designated airport
- Any shop in a railway station
- Any shop at a service area within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980
- Petrol filling stations
- Any stand used for the retail sale of goods during the course of an exhibition
- Any shop which is not open for retail sale of any goods other than food, stores or other necessaries required by one person for a vessel or aircraft on its arrival at, or immediately before its departure, from a port, harbour or airport
- Shops occupied by persons observing the Jewish Sabbath
Public holidays
All large shops, except those listed above, must remain closed on Easter Sunday (and on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday).