A coalition of retailers, consumers and business groups has launched a campaign urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to abolish limits on Sunday trading hours for large shops.
The Open Sundays movement argues that legislation introduced in 1994 restricts major retailers with premises over 280 square metres to trading for only six hours between 10am and 6pm.
The campaign describes the rules as outdated and says they no longer reflect how people live and shop.
Campaign spokesperson Mark Allatt said: “These regulations are a stubborn relic that hold back growth and limit choice for consumers.”
The movement has emerged as Treasury officials consider possible changes to Sunday trading rules.
Major supermarket chains including Tesco, Lidl and Aldi are expected to benefit from any extension of opening hours.
Supporters point to the temporary suspension of restrictions during the 2012 London Olympics, when retail sales rose by 3.2 per cent in September 2012 before falling to 1.6 per cent the following month after normal rules resumed.
Scotland is often cited by campaigners as an example of unrestricted Sunday trading, where large stores are free to open all day without reported negative effects.
Retailers, consumers and business groups are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap Sunday trading limits for large stores
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Recent polling has also suggested strong public support for reform, with many people saying the current law no longer matches modern lifestyles.
Families juggling work and childcare responsibilities say early closing hours make it difficult to shop after children’s sporting events or weekend work shifts.
Small shops under 280 square metres are not affected by the rules and can trade without limits.
Campaigners argue this creates an uneven playing field, with large stores forced to close while smaller competitors continue operating.
Small shops under 280 square metres are exempt from Sunday trading restrictions and may open without time limits
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The group says extended opening hours would make the high street more competitive against online retailers, which trade around the clock.
The Open Sundays campaign claims longer hours could raise additional tax revenue to support the Chancellor’s growth agenda without increasing other levies.
It says the change would also create more retail jobs and provide a boost to tourism, particularly for international visitors from countries with longer shopping hours.
Mr Allatt said extended hours could “replicate the commercial success seen during the 2012 Olympic exemption”, when retailers benefited from greater flexibility.
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Treasury sources have indicated ministers are exploring ways to support retailers through business rate reforms and measures to stimulate growth
| GETTYThe group is calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves to back a Sunday Trading (Modernisation) Bill, potentially included in the next King’s Speech.
It proposes pilot schemes across several regions ahead of possible nationwide implementation by Easter 2026.
Open Sundays says reform would better reflect modern working patterns and provide fairer access for communities whose main religious observance falls on days other than Sunday.
The Government has not yet confirmed whether it intends to review Sunday trading legislation.
However, Treasury sources have indicated ministers are exploring ways to support retailers through business rate reforms and measures to stimulate growth.