Call for Sunday trading overhaul

The government is analysing the cost-benefits of an overhaul

The current six-hour limit on Sunday trading is one of a number of retail rules that need to be overhauled, according to a consumer group.

Trading laws need to be revised and "needless red tape" scrapped, says the National Consumer Council.

The NCC has produced a hit-list of rules which it wants to be reduced, simplified or abolished.

Rules it wants scrapped include restrictions on the number of taxis in towns and the law on civil weddings.

Evidence suggests "millions" of people would like greater freedom to shop when it suits them, the NCC said.

ACS believes that there is no compelling case for consumers demanding greater freedom to shop on Sundays Association of Convenience Stores

It also wants a review of the current six-hour opening limit imposed on large stores on Sundays.

"It's time to get rid of the red tape that restricts people shopping in bigger shops on Sundays," said deputy chief executive Philip Cullum.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson has already asked Department of Trade and Industry officials to prepare a cost-benefit analysis on whether to relax the Sunday trading laws.

But the Association of Convenience Stores wrote to Mr Johnson earlier this week stating its opposition to a relaxation of those laws, which were brought in more than a decade ago.

Its letter said: "ACS believes that there is no compelling case for consumers demanding greater freedom to shop on Sundays."

Details of the scope and timing of the DTI's cost-benefit analysis have not yet been released.