Evangelical Presbyterian Church hits out at Belfast pilot scheme extending Sunday trading hours
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church has hit out at a pilot scheme extending Sunday trading hours in Belfast.
On Thursday evening, Belfast City Council agreed plans for the scheme, which will allow shops to open from 10am on Sundays during the six-week pilot period.
An amendment to the plans asking for the issue to go back to committee, supported by the DUP, SDLP, Green Party, UUP and TUV failed.
The plans were backed by Sinn Fein and Alliance.
As things stand, larger shops in Belfast can only open from 1pm to 6pm, while smaller stores have more flexibility.
Reverend Robert Johnston of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church said members were 'concerned and saddened' by the pilot plans.
'Those who support this further extension of Sunday opening argue that it will revitalise the heart of the city on Sundays, with a particular focus on tourism,' he said.
'While we are supportive of the idea of revitalising our capital city, there are ways of doing this which do not involve extending the opening hours of shops on a Sunday.
'Some politicians and trade unionists have expressed concern for the rights – or lack of rights – of shop workers, including the right to have a family life. We understand that shops in several European countries are closed on Sundays for this very reason.'
Retail NI has recommended that the council set up a 'Sunday morning working group', made up of business representatives, trade unions and others 'to agree an inclusive way forward and a plan for the summer months.'
The body's chief executive Glyn Roberts said: 'The remit of this group should be wider than just the City Centre and include all parts of the city in a new plan for Sunday morning.'
'To completely deregulate Sunday trading and create another normal shopping day shows a poverty of ambition and ideas for the city.
'It is an idea that belongs to the past and not to a modern progressive 21st century city.
'We need new thinking to animate Sunday mornings and offer shoppers and visitors something different.
'This proposal will provide large multinationals with even more trading time, directly at the expense of small independent retailers who use trading time on Sunday mornings to sustain their business.'
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