Christmas shutdown for Jersey

No shops will be open on Christmas Day after a law change

Christmas Day has been given a new, special status after a vote by Jersey's government will now ensure all shops remain closed on the day.

When enacted this new law will mean the only shop open on Christmas Day is the emergency pharmacy.

This is a change from the current situation where Christmas Day works like a Sunday with smaller shops able to open if they want to.

A change to Boxing Day means it will always be treated as a Sunday.

Other changes to the Sunday trading laws will see Liberation Day and Good Friday treated as Sunday trading days.

I think the public is capable of making up its own mind over what it wants to do, it is a question of consumer choice. Ray Shead, Jersey Chamber of Commerce

The Dean of Jersey told politicians during the debate that people should respect the islands customs and traditions.

"If you visit other countries then you do find that the way they operate things, if you go the Middle East they operate in an Islamic way and that is absolutely fine.

"There should be no apology for saying 'this particular culture has shaped our island' and therefore to celebrate and make Christmas Day something different should have no apology," the Dean of Jersey said.

The decision over what shops can open on a Sunday is down to the individual parish Constables but for Christmas Day all shops will be closed.

Ray Shead, President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce has said that the change is taking away consumer choice.

"There was obviously a demand, however limited, there was a demand from people to do a little bit shopping on Christmas morning.

The emergency pharmacy will be the only shop open on Christmas Day

"I think for the States to take that away was unnecessary," Ray said.

Ray believes that the public should be free to decide whether they want to shop without the Government interfering.

"I think the public is capable of making up its own mind over what it wants to do, it is a question of consumer choice, we don't need government telling us everything we need to do on every aspect of our lives," said Ray.

These votes are for enabling laws, so further debate over the specifics will need to take place at a later date before it goes into law.

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YOUR COMMENTS

Jessica

Are we forgetting that for shops to be open that requires somebody to be working? As for letting the puble decide, the vast majority of the general public are not in an occupation where they would be asked to work on Christmas day but there is a minority that would be affected if shops were open for trading. This new legislation protects that minority from being forced to come into work on the most popular and celebrated holiday of the year. We live in a society obsessed with work and money, it is nice for one day of the year to forget about that and concentrate on our families, friends and having fun. As for those who would like 'a few extra hours of shopping' on Christmas morning; get organised so that EVERYONE can enjoy their Christmas day!

Hillary

What a first class decision. Christmas Day is a fairly foreseeable event. If people can't plan for the fact that all shops will be shut then they deserve to go without.

Fraser

It is wonderful to know that in these diffcult financial times that our politicians can only discuss whether shops open Christmas Day or not. I agree with Mr Shead let the public make up their own mind we are a democracy. And as for the Dean he should be busying himself preparing for a christain Christmas, spreading the word of God and keeping his nose out of politics.