Supermarkets would open on Christmas Sundays 'if they had to'

SUPERMARKETS have no particular appetite to open for two Sundays over Christmas.

But retailers approached by the Guernsey Press yesterday said they would feel compelled to do so if Commerce and Employment granted a request from Waitrose to open on Sunday 23 and Sunday 30 December.

The department is considering the request and has also announced its intention to consult on wider relaxation of the Sunday trading laws later this year.

But Waitrose, which has stores at the Rohais and Admiral Park, said its appeal was not that far-reaching.

Channel Islands Cooperative Society president Peter Roffey said board members would not want Waitrose to 'steal a march' on the company.

Alliance managing director Andrew Bagot said the store would feel obliged to open if other retailers were allowed to trade on Sundays at Christmas.