Debate contribution: Sunday Trading
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Sunday Trading
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5614103
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The consultation that was carried out by Belfast City Council related to proposals to extend Sunday opening hours throughout the city during the summer months. The consultees were not asked whether they supported the extension on a permanent basis or whether it should apply beyond Belfast City Council boundaries, so the consultation responses cannot be interpreted as evidence that people across Northern Ireland support such an extension. I am, however, aware of the views of businesses, retailers and, in particular, retail workers who would be expected to work on Sundays. As has been pointed out, the views are much more divided from that perspective, with approximately 40% of businesses and retailers opposed to the proposals and retail workers evenly split. As for how we compare with elsewhere, our Sunday trading hours, relatively speaking, mirror those in much of the rest of the UK. However, other countries, such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Norway, have an even more restrictive system. You often hear the argument that we are among the most restrictive in Europe, but that is simply not the case. As I said, it is not a priority for me as we head towards the end of the mandate.
199 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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