Ease off on Sunday trading, says constable
Tuesday 29th December 2009, 2:29PM GMT.
SUNDAY trading should be made easier, according to a St Sampson’s constable.
Andy Bichard was speaking after La Carriere Stables at Baubigny applied for Sunday opening at its new shop.
The store is within the reception area at the stables and manager Jenny Froome wants to open it on six Sundays a year to coincide with events at the riding school.
Mr Bichard (pictured) said the current method should be updated to make it simpler for those applying and the constables assessing the premises.
‘Sunday trading is something that the island has agreed,’ he said.
‘There are certain aspects of it that seem quite a lot of hard work. It would be better, I think, for it to be made easier.’
Sunday trading recently came under scrutiny because of Le Friquet Garden Centre. In November, following complaints, parts of the newly-opened store were cordoned off on Sundays to put some goods out of bounds to customers. The clothing section and areas displaying plates, glasses, kitchen utensils and bathroom and beauty products were closed.
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Time to make it simpler, what a good idea! If a shop is allowed to open on a Sunday then it should be able to sell all of the goods it sells, what on earth is the difference whether one buys a plate, a shirt or a newspaper.
I’m not advocating a free for all, but it seems areas of the current law do need a bit of a brush up, let us hope it happens and doesn’t get buried in the law officers ‘to do’ pile like a lot of things seem to.
I take it that whoever complained about
Le Friquet were actually there taking advantage of the fact it was open on a Sunday, so why complain?
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No matter what side of the Sunday trading fence you sit on, there’s no arguing that the law in its current state needs updating. It is daft that shops are allowed to open but can only sell certain items.
Either allow stores to open fully, or stop them opening at all. The present law makes no sense to anyone.
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Yes, please update these stupid Sunday trading laws,how absurd they must seem to visitors, in the current economic climate when just existing in retail is challenging to have to rope off sections of your goods because they cannot be sold on a Sunday is absolute madness.I have been on many cruises and visited places on a Sunday where none of the shops are open and that is cities/islands all over the world, it is disappointing, but at least consistent. Dont let any shops open on Sunday if you want that, but this business of you can sell this but not that in the same shop beggars belief.
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having waitressed for many years i struggled explaining sunday drinking laws to tourists whod walk out determined to find someone whod sell them alcohol and that we were just being awkward. sunday trading has been a pain in the proverbial for years. what diffrence does it make buying a card or a sack of spuds. let shops open , let them sell whatever they want, if the demand isnt there then they shut, if it is then we all win
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To be fair i have worked in retail for the past 9 years, I am glad I don’t have to work Sundays cause that means I am able to get the time off to spend with family and friends. So to be honest leave the law as it is cause the island is so small we do not need to open any more shops!
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I agree with David, we do not need more Sunday Openings, with the resulting problems.
One of the issues with Sunday Opening, is the unnecessary forms to fill out. A rain forest has to be cut down each year, to supply all the paper work.
Instead of needing 80 A4 for my parish, it could be done with 1 A4.,less work and money saved.
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I don’t think anyone is suggesting that those who work in retail should be forced to open and work on a Sunday. I just believe those shops that want to do so should be able to open and of course free of charge. It seems daft that shops cannot or will open not take advantage of the tourist season and cruise ships coming into port.
Not being local the Sunday trading laws have always been a mystery to me. If it is indeed for religious reasons why open anything at all? I cannot understand why it acceptable to allow people to work in pubs and serve alcohol whilst the sale of wellies is banned in a garden centre. I cannot remember ‘thou shall not buy wellies’ being in the bible :)
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