A proposed extension of Sunday trading hours for larger premises in Coleraine and Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, has ignited debate, with local business owners expressing concerns about its potential impact on small, independent retailers.
Extending Sunday trading hours for larger premises in Coleraine and Ballymoney would not benefit small, local businesses, the president of Ballymoney 's Chamber of Commerce has argued. This comes as a public consultation has been launched on the proposal to designate these towns as 'holiday resorts'. Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, stated that this move is not about tourism but rather an attempt by large supermarkets to exploit a loophole in the legislation.
He pointed out that the local authority has already designated Portrush, Portstewart, and Ballycastle as holiday resorts. Winnie Mellet, the president of Ballymoney's Chamber of Commerce, shares this concern. She believes the proposal would primarily advantage larger retailers at the expense of independent shops. She explained that smaller grocery stores currently benefit from a period of exclusivity before supermarkets open on Sundays, allowing them to attract additional customers.Winnie also doubts that extending Sunday trading hours would significantly increase footfall in the town or encourage her to open her clothing shop on Sundays. She emphasized that many of her staff have families and Sundays are crucial for them to spend time with their loved ones. While acknowledging that Ballymoney's high street attracts visitors to the north coast, she doesn't consider it a tourist town. She described Ballymoney as a rural town, historically known as the gateway to the Causeway. Mr. Roberts suggested alternative approaches for Sunday mornings, such as providing shoppers with unique experiences rather than simply extending the hours of operation for major supermarkets. He advocated for policies that protect local independent retailers who would be negatively impacted by this proposal. He argued that the current Sunday trading laws already represent a compromise between various stakeholders, including shop workers and independent retailers. He highlighted that some smaller retailers, those under 3000 sq ft, currently have the opportunity to open on Sunday mornings, providing them with a competitive advantage. Mr. Roberts believes public support for extending Sunday trading hours is limited in both Coleraine and Ballymoney, with many independent retailers actively opposing the proposal. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's consultation on the proposal closes on Friday 8 March 2025
SUNDAY TRADING RETAIL SMALL BUSINESSES HOLIDAY RESORTS COLERAINE BALLYMONEY
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