About this campaign
Since 1994, when the Sunday Trading Act was brought in, any shop over 280 square metres (3000 square feet) has only been able to open for six hours on a Sunday. This is a long held and workable compromise.
In Northern Ireland, stores over 280 square metres can only open between 1pm and 6pm, although there are some exclusions in place within areas deemed as holiday resorts as well as for stores located at airports, railway stations and petrol stations.
Support the Retail Sector and the High Street
Usdaw has a comprehensive strategy for retail, which you can read here.
It includes many way to support the recovery of the high street, through supporting the retail sector and the workforce that keeps it going.
What we've achieved so far
At times, the Government has considered allowing shops to stay open for longer in England and Wales, however these attempts have not been permanent.
Opposition from Usdaw over concerns relating to employee rights has helped pressure the Government into rethinking. The Union will continue to campaign against the scrapping of Sunday opening hours any time it is considered in future.
Sunday Trading in Northern Ireland
Usdaw has repeatedly put forward the views of our members and the interests of retail workers, calling on politicians to reject changes to Sunday Trading laws. Belfast City Council has reviewed extending trading hours on Sundays on numerous occasions, as recently as 2017, 2020 and 2024. Each time, it was determined that it was not the right move to extend hours.
However, in May 2025, Belfast City Council forced through a pilot scheme to extend trading hours for larger shops on a Sunday.
Usdaw opposes this. Members have told us that they already feel pressure to work on a Sunday, and that increasing trading hours will add to this. As well as retail workers themselves having concerns, smaller retailers have stated that they worry their trade will be taken by the bigger stores which could have a longer term detrimental impact.
Usdaw members in Belfast can contact their Councillors here to oppose the plans.
