Guernsey States reject Sunday trading trial

States members voted against deregulating Guernsey's Sunday trading laws

Guernsey States members have rejected a move to deregulate the island's Sunday trading laws.

Twenty-eight politicians voted against Deputy Mike Hadley's move to liberalise the laws for a trial period of 12 months starting in December.

Deputy Hadley has now announced his resignation from the Commerce and Employment department.

He said it was a very important department, and he felt he could no longer continue working in the role.

The rejection of the proposal in the States means large shops like Waitrose and B&Q and larger branches of the Co-op and Marks and Spencers will not be able to open on Sundays.

Currently in Guernsey grocery stores with floor spaces larger than 400sq-m (4,300sq-ft) cannot open on Sundays.

The Chief Minister, Peter Harwood, had urged members to reject the plan, arguing that subtle change was needed to the current laws, rather than a full suspension.