Belfast Sunday Trading Consultation: Usdaw opposes extended hours

Retail trade union Usdaw has yet again responded to a Belfast City Council consultation on extending Sunday trading hours, with an emphatic ‘no’ to extended opening. The union has repeated its call for an industrial strategy for the retail sector that involves local and national government, retailers, workers and their trade union, along with all key stakeholders working together.

In a recent survey of over 200 Usdaw members in the Belfast area, 82% viewed the extension of Sunday trading hours in Belfast as a negative, with 76% of working parents and carers saying it would negatively impact their family life. Usdaw official Liam English will be giving evidence to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee of Belfast City Council on Friday morning in City Hall, along with Retail NI.

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw General Secretary says:

Usdaw is disappointed that the issue of extended Sunday trading hours in Belfast is yet again being discussed by the City Council. This was reviewed last year, in 2024, 2020, 2017 and numerous times before that. On all of those occasions, it was determined that such an extension is not the right move. Usdaw has repeatedly fully committed to working with Belfast City Council and others to support and improve the retail experience at the weekend and for tourists. Continually considering extending Sunday trading hours is a distraction from tackling the real issues that impact the retail sector.

Our members remain overwhelmingly opposed to extending Sunday trading hours. Allowing large stores to open for longer on Sundays would have a negative impact on retail workers, their families and our communities. Longer Sunday trading would take a heavy toll on staff who would come under even more pressure to work, when they would rather be spending time with family and engaging in community, sports and leisure activities or attending church. The Council should also consider the huge increases in violence, threats and abuse suffered by retail workers in recent years. It cannot be fair for Councillors to extend the time periods retail workers have to face this abuse.

There would also be a detrimental impact on smaller retailers who can already open longer hours on Sundays. These traders rely on the boost in trade they get on Sunday morning, with St George’s Market being a prime example. Even supporters of extended Sunday opening hours have not been able to show it will lead to economic benefits or job creation. Put simply, opening shops for longer does not mean people have more money to spend.

We all want to see a strong and diverse retail sector in Belfast and across the nation, but that means striking the right balance. We urge City Councillors to listen to the majority of shop workers and retailers who do not want extended Sunday trading.