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| How Sunday trading changed the UK | How Sunday trading changed the UK |
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| Fifteen years ago, Sunday trading laws were introduced that led to a national love affair with shopping. The "day of rest" was never the same again. | Fifteen years ago, Sunday trading laws were introduced that led to a national love affair with shopping. The "day of rest" was never the same again. |
| "If England has not been invaded since 1066, it is because foreigners dread having to spend a Sunday there." | "If England has not been invaded since 1066, it is because foreigners dread having to spend a Sunday there." |
| WHAT MAKES SUNDAY SPECIAL? Church worship, Sunday papers, no rush-hour... some things tell you it's SundayTell us what makes Sunday distinctive for you using the form belowWe'll publish the best next week | WHAT MAKES SUNDAY SPECIAL? Church worship, Sunday papers, no rush-hour... some things tell you it's SundayTell us what makes Sunday distinctive for you using the form belowWe'll publish the best next week |
| So noted a retired British Army officer in a French work of fiction from the 1950s, a time when Sundays in the UK were a bit different from how they are now. | So noted a retired British Army officer in a French work of fiction from the 1950s, a time when Sundays in the UK were a bit different from how they are now. |
| The biggest transformation has been since the early 1990s, when Sunday was still a day that commonly began with church worship, followed by roast lunch with the family and time at home together. | The biggest transformation has been since the early 1990s, when Sunday was still a day that commonly began with church worship, followed by roast lunch with the family and time at home together. |
| For many people today, that is still the norm, but a piece of legislation that is 15 years old this week has made Sundays generally more active and varied. | For many people today, that is still the norm, but a piece of legislation that is 15 years old this week has made Sundays generally more active and varied. |
| Although some shops had defied the law, the 1994 Sunday Trading Act allowed all smaller shops in England and Wales to open all day. Larger ones are still restricted to six hours of business between 10am and 6pm and cannot open on Easter Sunday. | Although some shops had defied the law, the 1994 Sunday Trading Act allowed all smaller shops in England and Wales to open all day. Larger ones are still restricted to six hours of business between 10am and 6pm and cannot open on Easter Sunday. |
| DIY stores embraced the change | DIY stores embraced the change |
| In Scotland, shops determine their own hours although - as they can south of the border - people working in retail and betting can opt out of working on Sundays if they wish. | In Scotland, shops determine their own hours although - as they can south of the border - people working in retail and betting can opt out of working on Sundays if they wish. |
| The trading act was passed despite stiff resistance from trade unions, religious groups and even some large stores such as Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. Eight years earlier, attempts by Margaret Thatcher to deregulate Sunday trading led to her only Parliamentary defeat during her time as prime minister. | The trading act was passed despite stiff resistance from trade unions, religious groups and even some large stores such as Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. Eight years earlier, attempts by Margaret Thatcher to deregulate Sunday trading led to her only Parliamentary defeat during her time as prime minister. |
| So when the law was finally passed, it was a huge step, says Professor Jeremy Baker, of ESCP Europe Business School. | So when the law was finally passed, it was a huge step, says Professor Jeremy Baker, of ESCP Europe Business School. |
| "Sunday was a very symbolic day. It was a religious day and even for those people who are not religious it was a family day, a home day. So the idea of going out to the shops on this home day was genuinely shocking to people. | "Sunday was a very symbolic day. It was a religious day and even for those people who are not religious it was a family day, a home day. So the idea of going out to the shops on this home day was genuinely shocking to people. |
| Sundays on high streets resembled other days | Sundays on high streets resembled other days |
| "You were supposed to spend the time at home, however boring it was. It was considered to be good for you. You were showing loyalty to the family." | "You were supposed to spend the time at home, however boring it was. It was considered to be good for you. You were showing loyalty to the family." |
| The act helped to develop a new shopping culture and a new leisure pursuit, he says, but at a cost. | The act helped to develop a new shopping culture and a new leisure pursuit, he says, but at a cost. |
| "Going to the shops became an event, even if you didn't buy anything, because you'd go and you'd walk around and have coffee. The shopping mall as a new city centre was very much accelerated by the law." | "Going to the shops became an event, even if you didn't buy anything, because you'd go and you'd walk around and have coffee. The shopping mall as a new city centre was very much accelerated by the law." |
| But the shopping boom that followed is now coming back to haunt the country in recession, says Mr Baker, because there are just too many shops. | But the shopping boom that followed is now coming back to haunt the country in recession, says Mr Baker, because there are just too many shops. |
| Shops in many towns and villages remain closed on Sundays, and in those areas little has changed. Public transport still has a Sunday timetable all over the country, while most banks and theatres remain closed. | Shops in many towns and villages remain closed on Sundays, and in those areas little has changed. Public transport still has a Sunday timetable all over the country, while most banks and theatres remain closed. |
| A NATION OF SHOPPERS 53% of people regularly shop on a SundayAn estimated 14% of consumer expenditure, inc online shoppingSunday is eBay's busiest day421,000 more people work Sundays than pre-1994 From Verdict | A NATION OF SHOPPERS 53% of people regularly shop on a SundayAn estimated 14% of consumer expenditure, inc online shoppingSunday is eBay's busiest day421,000 more people work Sundays than pre-1994 From Verdict |
| But shopping malls and city centres are as busy as any other day. More than half the population regularly goes shopping on a Sunday, which means that hundreds of thousands of people have to work. | But shopping malls and city centres are as busy as any other day. More than half the population regularly goes shopping on a Sunday, which means that hundreds of thousands of people have to work. |
| Where retail led, pubs followed. A year after the trading act, pubs were allowed to open all day on a Sunday. Previously they had to close between 3pm and 7pm. | Where retail led, pubs followed. A year after the trading act, pubs were allowed to open all day on a Sunday. Previously they had to close between 3pm and 7pm. |
| The proliferation of televised football on Sundays - there are sometimes more top-level matches on a Sunday than a Saturday - provided pubs with an added attraction. Horse racing, cricket and rugby have followed its example. | The proliferation of televised football on Sundays - there are sometimes more top-level matches on a Sunday than a Saturday - provided pubs with an added attraction. Horse racing, cricket and rugby have followed its example. |
| It all means that Sundays are losing their intended meaning, says John Roberts, director of the Lord's Day Observance Society, because when God created the world he set aside one day that was different. It was also the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he adds. | It all means that Sundays are losing their intended meaning, says John Roberts, director of the Lord's Day Observance Society, because when God created the world he set aside one day that was different. It was also the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he adds. |
| Sunday prayers... watching football in the pub | Sunday prayers... watching football in the pub |
| "We've lost family life and one of the reasons we've lost it is that we have lost the principle that Sunday was for the family. There's a moral, social and economic element to this. I love sport but I reject the need for sport on a Sunday because people need a break. There are six other days to watch football." | "We've lost family life and one of the reasons we've lost it is that we have lost the principle that Sunday was for the family. There's a moral, social and economic element to this. I love sport but I reject the need for sport on a Sunday because people need a break. There are six other days to watch football." |
| One of the weaknesses of society is that people are not meeting together and eating together, he says. | One of the weaknesses of society is that people are not meeting together and eating together, he says. |
| "If mum is working and dad is down the pub and the other members of the family somewhere else, then family life is sliced through. And the country will never ever get back to stability until it gets back to valuing the family." | "If mum is working and dad is down the pub and the other members of the family somewhere else, then family life is sliced through. And the country will never ever get back to stability until it gets back to valuing the family." |
| WHAT ABOUT SHOP WORKERS? John Hannett is general secretary of trade union UsdawHis fear that premium payments for staff would gradually disappear has come trueAnd he questions whether voluntary opt-out still applies, because of subtle pressures that can exist at work | WHAT ABOUT SHOP WORKERS? John Hannett is general secretary of trade union UsdawHis fear that premium payments for staff would gradually disappear has come trueAnd he questions whether voluntary opt-out still applies, because of subtle pressures that can exist at work |
| Peter Lynas, of Keep Sunday Special, thinks the law was a compromise that has worked reasonably well. | Peter Lynas, of Keep Sunday Special, thinks the law was a compromise that has worked reasonably well. |
| "It has retained a certain distinction to Sundays but at the same time it respects the rights of people who want to go shopping and those that don't." | "It has retained a certain distinction to Sundays but at the same time it respects the rights of people who want to go shopping and those that don't." |
| His concern is that the opt-out that the act gave to workers who didn't want to work on Sundays is not being enacted, and his group is calling for a "family day" for parents to be given a statutory day off at the weekend, if they want one. | His concern is that the opt-out that the act gave to workers who didn't want to work on Sundays is not being enacted, and his group is calling for a "family day" for parents to be given a statutory day off at the weekend, if they want one. |
| It's great that some families make use of more visitor attractions being open to have exciting days out together, he says, but too many youngsters are dragged to the shopping mall every Sunday and think the day is all about consumerism. | It's great that some families make use of more visitor attractions being open to have exciting days out together, he says, but too many youngsters are dragged to the shopping mall every Sunday and think the day is all about consumerism. |
| But feminist Kathy Lette, author of the novel To Love, Honour and Betray, says Sundays are much more fun now than in 1988, when she moved to England from Australia. | But feminist Kathy Lette, author of the novel To Love, Honour and Betray, says Sundays are much more fun now than in 1988, when she moved to England from Australia. |
| SUNDAYS OF OLD In 1618, King James I decreed that people could do certain sports after church worshipPuritans later burned James's declarationIn early Victorian times, Sundays were popular for markets and family days outBut leisure activities were clamped down on later in her reign | SUNDAYS OF OLD In 1618, King James I decreed that people could do certain sports after church worshipPuritans later burned James's declarationIn early Victorian times, Sundays were popular for markets and family days outBut leisure activities were clamped down on later in her reign |
| "Let me tell you, Sundays back then were about as interesting as watching Albanian daytime television - as riveting as watching hair recede. Sundays broke my only commandment - thou shalt not bore." | "Let me tell you, Sundays back then were about as interesting as watching Albanian daytime television - as riveting as watching hair recede. Sundays broke my only commandment - thou shalt not bore." |
| It has definitely made life easier for working mothers, she says, because trying to fit in the food shop after work or on a busy Saturday is an ordeal. | It has definitely made life easier for working mothers, she says, because trying to fit in the food shop after work or on a busy Saturday is an ordeal. |
| "Working mums need options - and Sunday shopping has been a life saver." | "Working mums need options - and Sunday shopping has been a life saver." |
| What makes Sunday distinctive for you? Tell us using the form below or make a general comment. | What makes Sunday distinctive for you? Tell us using the form below or make a general comment. |
| To see what life used to be like here on Sunday, just cross the Channel. Shops are still closed on Sunday in France and the town centres are deserted. Maybe the older generation prefer this, but when I was younger my Sundays there were awful. I like being able to do my weekly shop on Sunday morning. However I do think that staff should still get extra compensation for working Sunday. When Tesco began Sunday trading in 1992 I snapped up the opportunity to earn double-time.Mark, Reading | |
| When I was a youngster and in my early teens in the 1950s, I detested Sundays. Everything was either closed or seriously curtailed including public transport, swimming baths, sport activities, libraries and cinemas. Only paper shops were opened and they closed at noon. All, and I mean ALL, other shops were closed. The city centre was dead. In fact the whole day had a deathly air hanging over it. It's much, much, better now with everything open on Sundays and little curtailment. Great! Mr M L Young, Newcastle upon Tyne | When I was a youngster and in my early teens in the 1950s, I detested Sundays. Everything was either closed or seriously curtailed including public transport, swimming baths, sport activities, libraries and cinemas. Only paper shops were opened and they closed at noon. All, and I mean ALL, other shops were closed. The city centre was dead. In fact the whole day had a deathly air hanging over it. It's much, much, better now with everything open on Sundays and little curtailment. Great! Mr M L Young, Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Where I live Sunday is the busiest retail day of the week. We have a large outdoor and indoor market - the outdoor one's only on a Sunday! I love shopping on Sundays before repairing to the pub to watch sport!Janet Bunting, Morecambe | Where I live Sunday is the busiest retail day of the week. We have a large outdoor and indoor market - the outdoor one's only on a Sunday! I love shopping on Sundays before repairing to the pub to watch sport!Janet Bunting, Morecambe |
| As a child I was really bored on Sundays. I now miss the fact that it is little different to other days in the week and the enforced slow down and battery recharge that the old Sundays had. On my way home from church I drive past a shopping centre that is always busy. It makes me sad that so many people fill their day in this way. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we had until it's goneNeal Killen, Belfast | As a child I was really bored on Sundays. I now miss the fact that it is little different to other days in the week and the enforced slow down and battery recharge that the old Sundays had. On my way home from church I drive past a shopping centre that is always busy. It makes me sad that so many people fill their day in this way. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we had until it's goneNeal Killen, Belfast |
| Sundays are dreadful now - driving is worse than weekdays. Events fine, activities fine, but please please remove retailers' Sunday licence. The Tesco bun fight is worse than weekdays because of the shorter hours. Phil Thomas, Wirral, England | Sundays are dreadful now - driving is worse than weekdays. Events fine, activities fine, but please please remove retailers' Sunday licence. The Tesco bun fight is worse than weekdays because of the shorter hours. Phil Thomas, Wirral, England |
| Sunday was a family time. I find it heart breaking to see the constant erosion of family time, to be replaced with the latest shiny thing that you MUST have in order to be happy, yet it doesn't make you happy. But the next one will! I'm an A&E worker, and as such I work any given day and time at a high, but necessary, cost to my family and relationships. Why do people in non-essential services value their family below trinkets? If you spent a day a week working on relationships, do you think we would have the same divorce or youth crime rates?Dave, Newcastle | Sunday was a family time. I find it heart breaking to see the constant erosion of family time, to be replaced with the latest shiny thing that you MUST have in order to be happy, yet it doesn't make you happy. But the next one will! I'm an A&E worker, and as such I work any given day and time at a high, but necessary, cost to my family and relationships. Why do people in non-essential services value their family below trinkets? If you spent a day a week working on relationships, do you think we would have the same divorce or youth crime rates?Dave, Newcastle |
| If the Sunday trading law had been in place when I was younger, my memories of Sundays might not have been that it's the days family members are forced to vent their grievances and fights break out. All I can remember is hiding in my room, re-reading books I knew word for word or ... well, no, that was it really.Michael, UK | If the Sunday trading law had been in place when I was younger, my memories of Sundays might not have been that it's the days family members are forced to vent their grievances and fights break out. All I can remember is hiding in my room, re-reading books I knew word for word or ... well, no, that was it really.Michael, UK |
| Sunday trading gives people choices about how to spend their time. Lamenting the fact that people enjoy doing different things and calling it "heart breaking" that the "traditional" Sunday family time is being eroded is a regressive view. Long live freedom of choice. Carole, Cheshire, UK | |
| Sunday trading laws should be reverted back to how they were 15 years ago. I agree with the earlier comment "you don't know what you've lost until it's gone". The roads are congested, people are finding more opportunities to spend money they don't have and family time is being eroded. And as far as I'm concerned pub trading hours should revert back too.Steve C, Macclesfield | |
| Sundays don't have to be sacred for families to come together and enjoy spending time together. Andrew B, Sunderland | |
| If I want to shop or work on a Sunday, that's a matter between me and the business. Government has no place there, nor does anyone trying to enforce their religious views on me.Kevin Elliott, Oxford, UK | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |