LONDON, 2016-Feb-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — Responding to today’s announcement by government that it plans to extend Sunday opening hours by amending the Enterprise Bill, the BRC said: “There are different views across retail over whether the relaxation of Sunday Trading hours is a good or a bad thing for retailers and their staff. This is much more dependent on the structure of individual business than their size or location, which both local government and central government must keep in mind.
“If relaxation is to be implemented, then it is vitally important that it’s done in the right way. We have been encouraging the Government to only devolve these new powers to directly elected mayors of combined authorities in the first instance in addition to implementing crucial safeguards including proper impact assessments, robust community consultation and an appeals process. These are vital given ‘zoning’ appears to still be on the table which would could lead to consumer confusion and the potential for some businesses to be unfairly excluded.”
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC said: “These proposals are unlikely to give retailers and the communities they serve the boost the Government is hoping to deliver. Instead the Government should be concentrating its efforts on finally delivering fundamental reform of the business rates system which would provide much greater support to the reinvention of high streets across the country and particularly in areas which are struggling.
“There is common agreement that an inconsistent approach to these plans without safeguards will be difficult for businesses to manage and confusing for consumers.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Bryan Johnston 
Bryan.Johnston@brc.org.uk 020 7854 8936