Retail staff support extended Sunday trading hours

Research from New West End Company has found that 64 percent of retail workers on London's Bond Street, Regent Street, Oxford Street and Knightsbridge support calls for extending Sunday trading hours, which could see larger stores open for an extra two hours on Sundays.

The independently conducted poll surveyed 850 floor staff, managers and backroom support teams across the West End, Stratford, Croydon, West Croydon, and Kensington, also found that 69 percent of retail staff in London’s shopping hubs believe that the “changes would benefit them financially,” while 66 percent would “appreciate” an extension to Sunday trading as it would allow them the opportunity to work extra hours.

Additionally, 73 percent of retail employees in some of London’s top retail areas believe that more flexible trading hours on Sundays would create more jobs, and some 75 percent think shops in London need more flexibility around Sunday trading to help them compete with online retailers. While 74 percent believe that retail outlets should be open when customers are likely to use them.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of New West End Company, said: “It is clear from these findings that there is a strong support among those who work in London’s retail industry for changes to the way Sunday trading is regulated.

“These people form the lifeblood of our offering as a global retail destination, and the findings show that many of those who spend their time making visitors and Londoners alike feel welcome across the shops and stores that line the streets of the West End and Knightsbridge believe they would benefit from the changes.”