A campaign aimed at keeping Sunday as a day set aside has expressed
concern about a possible review of Sunday trading restrictions in the
North.
Keep Sunday Special (KSS) was responding to an announcement from
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood that ''allowing earlier opening
on Sundays could boost the local economy, benefit the tourist industry
and support regeneration of town and city centres''.
Mr Attwood said: ''I would like to look at ways of introducing
flexibility around shop opening hours while retaining the tradition of
Sunday as a family day. I believe a review would be a timely and
balanced way to go forward.''
Restricted
In the North, large shops are restricted to opening for a maximum of 5
hours between 1pm and 6pm on a Sunday.
In England and Wales large shops
are allowed to open for up to 6 hours.
Seventy-one percent of people who responded to a recent survey
indicated that they would not be at all bothered if large stores were
forced to close on Sunday provided that local convenience stores
continued to open.
Minister Attwood is to hold a public consultation on any potential
changes.
A spokesman for the Church of Ireland said: ''An extension of
opening hours on a Sunday would put more pressure on workers, small
businesses and churches and also be detrimental to family and community
life.''
The Catholic Church is also expected to make a submission.
SIC: IRC/IE