Sunday trading debate should be open to all - McMahon

Council leader Jim McMahon

Greater Manchester must consider society and the rights of workers before deciding whether to extend Sunday shopping hours, says Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon.

Under the region’s devolution plans, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will be able to control local Sunday trading hours.

Councillor McMahon said: “Though the day of rest had its origins in religion, many people with no creed at all greatly value the time they get to spend with their families — or simply to relax away from the pressures of work.

“Extending Sunday trading opening times has the potential to be contentious even though, by and large, it has not been much of an issue over the last decade.

“When council leaders met to discuss Sunday trading there wasn’t a big appetite for change, but there was an agreement that the economic case must be clearly demonstrated.”

Councillor McMahon’s thoughts come during the same week as David Cameron said there is “a strong case” for change and that current Sunday trading laws, which do not allow large shops to open longer than six hours, are inadequate.