Retailers are being encouraged to attend a mass lobby of Parliament on Monday 29 February to encourage their MPs to vote against changes to Sunday trading legislation.
The mass lobby, being organised by campaign group Keep Sunday Special, will call on MPs from pivotal constituencies in the Sunday trading debate to hear from retailers, shopworkers, faith groups and industry experts on the damage that changes to Sunday trading rules will do to the UK economy and society.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Government’s arguments on changing Sunday trading rules are based on old, inadequate evidence, and make the assumption that people will have more money to spend just because the shops are open longer. This is obviously not the case. We know that what actually happens when Sunday trading rules are removed is that small stores lose out when trade is diverted to larger supermarkets, and ultimately there will be a net loss of jobs.
“It’s essential that we get our message across to MPs ahead of a vote on the issue. We need retailers to come down to Parliament on Monday afternoon and make their voices heard.”
The lobby will take place between 1pm and 4pm in Committee Room 14, moving to Committee Room 12 between 4pm and 5pm. For more information about attending contact Steve Dowling on 01252 533009.
Members of the Keep Sunday Special Group include the Association of Convenience Stores, shopworkers union USDAW, the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. For more information about Keep Sunday Special, visit www.keepsundayspecial.org.uk.
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