Overview

• Reports sourced to The Grocer say Treasury officials discussed ‘looking again’ at Sunday trading laws as part of wider talks on business rates, though they stressed there are no firm plans.
• A government spokesperson said ministers do not intend to alter Sunday trading rules and highlighted a plan to introduce a permanently lower business rates multiplier for retail properties from next year.
• Reform UK leaders Richard Tice and Gawain Towler publicly opposed any changes, arguing extended hours would hurt independent retailers and strain workers’ family time.
• Under current law, shops under 280 square metres can open freely on Sundays while larger stores are limited to six hours between 10:00 and 18:00, with Easter Sunday excluded.
• Attention now turns to the Autumn Budget on 26 November, where any movement on trading laws could be outlined alongside broader tax and retail support measures.