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| Unholy row over Tesco plan for Sunday opening on Isle of Lewis | |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Tesco store in Stornoway currently replenishes stock on a Sunday but does not open to the public | The Tesco store in Stornoway currently replenishes stock on a Sunday but does not open to the public |
| A Scottish island community is divided over a supermarket's plans to open on a Sunday. | A Scottish island community is divided over a supermarket's plans to open on a Sunday. |
| The Tesco branch on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides has started holding consultations with staff and residents about opening seven days a week. | The Tesco branch on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides has started holding consultations with staff and residents about opening seven days a week. |
| The island, which has a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath day, meaning that some shops - including both supermarkets - currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday. | The island, which has a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath day, meaning that some shops - including both supermarkets - currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday. |
| More than 700 people have now signed an online petition against the proposed change. | More than 700 people have now signed an online petition against the proposed change. |
| Many of the island's residents are members of various protestant denominations that believe Sunday should be a day of rest. | Many of the island's residents are members of various protestant denominations that believe Sunday should be a day of rest. |
| The practice is derived from the Bible's fourth commandment which states "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy". | The practice is derived from the Bible's fourth commandment which states "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy". |
| Observance of the Sabbath was once so strict that play park swings were chained up at dusk on Saturday, and hanging out washing on a Sunday was frowned upon. | Observance of the Sabbath was once so strict that play park swings were chained up at dusk on Saturday, and hanging out washing on a Sunday was frowned upon. |
| Restrictions have relaxed over recent decades, with the first Sunday commercial flight landing at Stornoway airport in 2002 and Sunday ferry sailings have operated since 2009. | Restrictions have relaxed over recent decades, with the first Sunday commercial flight landing at Stornoway airport in 2002 and Sunday ferry sailings have operated since 2009. |
| But while petrol stations and some restaurants now open on Sundays, many local shops, including the only other supermarket, a Co-op, remain closed. | But while petrol stations and some restaurants now open on Sundays, many local shops, including the only other supermarket, a Co-op, remain closed. |
| Council run-facilities such as swimming pools, soft-play areas and the island's two-lane bowling alley are also shut, even though the local authority allows similar facilities to open on other islands. | Council run-facilities such as swimming pools, soft-play areas and the island's two-lane bowling alley are also shut, even though the local authority allows similar facilities to open on other islands. |
| Ferries now sail from the island on a Sunday | Ferries now sail from the island on a Sunday |
| A petition against the Tesco proposals was started by Alasdair Macleod, who said "work-free Sundays" make people from Lewis the "envy" of many people living on mainland Scotland. | A petition against the Tesco proposals was started by Alasdair Macleod, who said "work-free Sundays" make people from Lewis the "envy" of many people living on mainland Scotland. |
| He said: "Many of us hold cherished memories of island Sundays as a guaranteed day of rest, relaxation and no work - a precious day of family time and worship. | He said: "Many of us hold cherished memories of island Sundays as a guaranteed day of rest, relaxation and no work - a precious day of family time and worship. |
| "However, this simple yet profound day is at risk due to the concept of seven-day trading creeping into our culture. | "However, this simple yet profound day is at risk due to the concept of seven-day trading creeping into our culture. |
| "When stores and businesses open their doors on Sunday, it may seem like a convenience at first, but the resulting ripple effect leaves workers with less time to rest, less time for family, less time for church worship and invariably, a lower quality of life." | "When stores and businesses open their doors on Sunday, it may seem like a convenience at first, but the resulting ripple effect leaves workers with less time to rest, less time for family, less time for church worship and invariably, a lower quality of life." |
| Although the Tesco store is currently closed on a Sunday, some staff already work to replenish shelves. | Although the Tesco store is currently closed on a Sunday, some staff already work to replenish shelves. |
| The supermarket said that no staff member would be forced to work on the Sabbath if the plans go ahead. | The supermarket said that no staff member would be forced to work on the Sabbath if the plans go ahead. |
| Christian Davies, store director for Tesco in the Highlands and Islands, said: "We are confident we can carefully balance the demand for a seven-day opening while remaining respectful to local traditions and culture. | Christian Davies, store director for Tesco in the Highlands and Islands, said: "We are confident we can carefully balance the demand for a seven-day opening while remaining respectful to local traditions and culture. |
| "While shopping on a Sunday is not for everyone, a store that is open seven days a week would significantly improve the shopping experience for all customers, by offering choice to those who do want to shop on a Sunday and reducing congestion during other days of the week, especially on a Saturday." | "While shopping on a Sunday is not for everyone, a store that is open seven days a week would significantly improve the shopping experience for all customers, by offering choice to those who do want to shop on a Sunday and reducing congestion during other days of the week, especially on a Saturday." |