Guernsey Sunday shopping supported by majority

Sunday trading restrictions should be abolished, according to the majority of respondents to a Guernsey survey.

Currently shops are limited to opening on Sundays based on the type of retail trade and the size of the store.

Out of 1,240 responses 770 said any shop should be allowed to open on any Sunday.

The Commerce and Employment Department will use the results as part of a report on Sunday trading due before the States later this year.

'Split views'

Of the 59 retailers who responded, 53% said they would like to be able to open on a Sunday, while 46% believed deregulating Sunday trading would economically benefit their business.

Bryan Guilbert, chief trading standards officer, said: "We might have expected a greater number of retailers were looking to open on Sundays.

"Perhaps it clearly identifies that not only among the population as a whole is there split views, but also among traders themselves."

Melanie Jefferies, who owns Cockadoodle boutique in Mill Street, St Peter Port, said deregulation would fall harder on smaller businesses and would lead to some shutting.

"You can't afford to not be open when your competitors are open," she said.

Sunday trading survey

59% likely or very likely to do more shopping on Sundays

56% were against shops opening later instead of on Sundays

36% very likely or likely to shop less on the internet if shops were open on the Sundays

93% believe the same rules on Sunday trading should apply in all parishes

Not all questions were answered by all 1,240 respondents.