Supporters say Sunday trading pilot would revitalise city

Extending the hours that bigger shops are able to trade on a Sunday in the city would help "revitalise and regenerate" Belfast, a key supporter of the scheme has said.

Currently shops bigger than 280 sq m can only open between 13:00 and 18:00, while there are no restrictions on smaller shops.

On Thursday night Belfast City Council discussed a proposal by the Alliance Party to allow shops to open from 10:00 on Sunday for a six-week pilot.

Alliance councillor Michael Long said he hoped the pilot would start in August.

Long said Sunday morning in the city centre was a "bit of a ghost town," especially for tourists.

The council has commissioned a report on the impact of extending the trading hours and will consult with unions and businesses and take legal advice before the matter returns to elected representatives.

But Liam English, from the trade union Usdaw which represents shop-workers, said it was "very disappointed" at the proposal.

"For the past 10 years we've been campaigning to not extend the Sunday trading hours in the Belfast area," he told BBC News NI.

Mr English said there had been no prior discussion with the union and he was asking the council not to go ahead with the pilot.

"Our members are telling us to work a Sunday they are being pressurised from some of these companies", he said.

He added that if it went ahead "their family time is going to be given up".

SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said that lowest-paid workers would lose out most from any such change.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster program, de Faoite said: "I think is deeply disappointing that Alliance and Sinn Féin decided to pursue this, against the pleas of trade unions."

He said that the SDLP party would rather see the time being used to support small businesses and independent retailers.

He said: "To support our arts and culture sector too, tourists don't come to Belfast to go to Asda or Sainsbury's. They come because we have a rich arts and culture offering so having protected time to use to promote and support that sector is an opportunity we shouldn't pass up or miss."

Gavin Annon from Belfast Chamber of Commerce said the pilot would offer a choice - not a requirement - to open.

He said workers' welfare is important but "so is flexibility and fairness".

"Lets think of the national living wage and national insurance increases that have hit businesses locally.

"If there is a chance to turn Belfast into a seven-day trading destination and it's valuable for the businesses to open and the workers want to work, it is a positive step," he said.

When shops are allowed to open depends on the size of their premises.

Shops with a floor space of more than 280 sq m can trade from 13:00 until 18:00 BST on Sundays, according to Belfast City Council.

However, if Easter Sunday or Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, they must remain closed all day with some exceptions, such as petrol stations, airport shops, or pharmacies.

Smaller shops face no timed restrictions on Sundays and can choose when to open.

Niamh Lawson and Ceri Swain, both 19, initially thought extending shopping hours on a Sunday was positive.

"Sundays are when most people off so being able to have longer hours, more time to go shopping is wonderful," said Ms Lawson.

However Ms Swain said she then thought it might make the city centre too busy at a time when it is normally quiet.

"When you're going into a café on a Sunday morning, it's now going to be packed, I suppose," she said.

But they both agreed they would come and try it out if a pilot went ahead.

Colin and Susan Harrington, visiting Belfast on holiday from the north of England, said they did not believe the shops needed to open earlier on a Sunday.

Mrs Harrington said Sunday was a day for family and not for shopping.

"We have the family for Sunday dinner, so we all stay at home," she told BBC News NI.

Her husband said he hoped the people who worked shops were given the choice about whether they wanted to work on a Sunday or not.

"If they have to, and they need the money, which most of us do, then C'est La Vie - that's what they're gonna have to do, you know?" he said.

"But they should have their own choice."

However, Ryan McCluskey said the shops opening earlier on a Sunday would appeal to a lot of people - including him.

"Not everyone sits in on a Sunday hungover. Other people like going out shopping on a Sunday so it definitely needs to be open a bit earlier," he said.

"Saturdays are absolutely packed and then when it comes the weekends Sundays are dead."

Nicole Robinson had no objection to the shops opening earlier on a Sunday and thought it might appeal to tourists, but said most people spent the day relaxing.

"I never go into the shops on a Sunday. No no no," she said.