Retail staff in London support longer trading hours on Sundays

By

Cajsa Lykke Carlson

Published
Jan 21, 2016

The UK debate about whether to change trading hours on Sundays has heard from retail staff working on Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Knightsbridge, 64% of whom support plans for longer opening hours.

In addition, 69% of staff in London's retail hubs believe that the changes, which would see larger stores open for an extra two hours on Sundays, would benefit them financially. Two thirds, 66%, said they would appreciate an extension to Sunday trading, as it would allow them the opportunity to work extra hours. 73% think more flexible trading will create more jobs, and 75% say shops in London need more flexibility around Sunday trading in order to be able to compete with online retailers.

Many of the 850 floor staff, managers and backroom support teams across the West End, Stratford, Croydon, West Croydon and Kensington surveyed for the poll already work on Sundays. 72% say they appreciate the opportunity to do so as it allows them to earn extra pay, while 62% say working on Sundays allows them to be more flexible about the hours they work.

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive of New West End Company said: “It is clear from these findings that there is a strong support among those who work in London’s retail industry for changes to the way Sunday trading is regulated. These people form the lifeblood of our offering as a global retail destination, and the findings show that many of those who spend their time making visitors and Londoners alike feel welcome across the shops and stores that line the streets of the West End and Knightsbridge believe they would benefit from the changes."

Research by the New West End Company shows two extra hours of trading in the West End and Knightsbridge would create 2,000 additional jobs and generate £260m annually.