Businesses keen to avoid Sundays

The document aims to gauge the views of the public, retailers, parishes, and other relevant groups to help inform a future States approach to Sunday trading.

It considers restrictions on goods, opening hours, the location of businesses, relaxing the law at certain times of the year and the size of premises.

Commerce and Employment Minister, Deputy Kevin Stewart, said he hoped as many people as possible would take the time to consider the consultation paper and complete the questionnaire.

'The more people who do, the better the picture the department will have of public opinion as it develops proposals to be taken to the States towards the end of next year.'

Owner of Creaseys, Peter Creasey, pictured, said they would not immediately look to alter their trading week, but that it would be important to keep up with fellow retailers.

'Food retailers might benefit, as clearly some customers prefer to do their grocery shopping on a Sunday.

'We, as a business, however, are not looking to increase our trading week. There is the risk of changing to a seven-day trading week and seeing the same amount of goods sold as within a six-day period.

'But, although we would not immediately change our position we would of course need to be mindful of what our competitors choose to do.

'I can see an argument for some Sunday trading during December, giving customers the opportunity to be more flexible with their Christmas shopping.'