Sunday trading laws to stay unchanged

The States is debating changes to some details in the trading law

Sunday trading is not to be deregulated on Guernsey.

After over an hour's debate, the House decided by 28 votes to 24 to leave the new Sunday trading law in place.

Under the current legislation, shops up to 400 square metres can trade on Sundays if they successfully apply for permission from their parish.

Members of the States are now debating changes to some details in the law.

They include aspects about the sale of tobacco, roadside stalls and the Constitution of Appeals Tribunal.

Our society recognises that Sunday is different Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq

Douzaine Representative Robilliard said that the current law has only been in operation for a few months and it is too early to change it.

He felt that until all the problems have been identified it was wrong to try and change the law.

"It is probably bad judgement to renege on that decision. The board is right to bring proposals to sort out anticipated anomalies.

"The law must be given time to settle in.

However, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq has maintained his opposition to any Sunday opening.

He said before the debate: "Our society recognises that Sunday is different. And having a communal day off and having a pattern in the community where most people are able to rest from their normal behaviour is a very good thing to have.

"Those societies that have tried to tamper with that over the years have failed abysmally. Let's not go that way."