A bill to permit local authorities to temporarily vary restrictions on Sunday trading during major events is currently under discussion in the House of Commons.


Conservative MP for Fylde Mark Menzies tabled a Ten Minute Rule bill on July 7 to allow temporary relaxation of Sunday trading regulations for the duration of the Olympic Games in 2012, and has suggested this discretion could also be applied to other events.

Hr says giving local authorities the power to amend the regulations for special one-off events could help traders through a difficult economic period, as well as boost the Games.

Mr Menzies said: "Organising the Olympic Games costs us billions of pounds. We owe it to our citizens to make sure we maximise the economic benefits for the whole nation by boosting the economy, creating jobs and increasing the disposable income of consumers. Allowing all shops to stay open later on Sundays has these advantages whilst making the big events more convenient for tourists."

The Bill is expected to have its second reading debate in the Commons on November 25, 2011.

The Sunday Trading Act 1994 allows retailers to open on a Sunday but restricts the opening times of larger stores to a maximum of six hours.

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