A government-backed report has paved the way for shopping around the clock in a move likely to enrage small businesses.
The report by consultants Indepen, commissioned by the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), has recommended that the current six-hour rule on Sunday trading be abolished.
If the proposals are followed by the government then it would mean that supermarkets could open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Owners of small shops have previously said that this would give the big chains an unfair advantage and that they could be driven out of business as a result.
Other objections are likely to be made by trade unions as well as groups dedicated to keeping Sundays ‘special’ and who feel that extra trading hours will be detrimental to family life.
But the report concludes that ending the trading restrictions would bring benefits to the economy as a whole and estimates gains of £1.4bn a year.
A spokesperson for the DTI said: “The cost benefit analysis will form part of the government's decision as to whether there should be any change to the current Sunday trading laws.
“Should ministers decide to proceed further with the review there will be a formal consultation on the question of any change.”
© Crimson Business Ltd 2006
