Date: 19th December 2005
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

Isle of Wight residents and businesses are being asked for their views on extending the hours of Sunday trading by Island MP Andrew Turner.

Large retailers, who wish to see Sunday trading hours extended from the current six hours allowed, are lobbying the Government and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) is resisting attempts to extend the opening hours of large stores.

So Mr Turner is asking, “Do we want Sundays for trade or tradition?”

USDAW believes that there is already “ample shopping time” in a week with shops “open for 150 hours a week”, and that neither shoppers nor workers want extra hours.

Mr Turner said

“I hope Islanders will let me know their views on this matter. Do we want or need seven full shopping days a week or should we keep Sunday as a more traditional day allowing staff to spend time with family and friends? What would be the effect of extending shopping hours on shoppers, shop-workers, their families, and residents?”

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Contact : Andrew Turner 01983 530808