Sunday trading boost for shops

The government has given the green light to temporarily relax Sunday trading during the games. Currently large shops can only stay open for six hours, but the expected boost to the economy from foreign visitors has persuaded the government to extend the opening hours for Sundays.

While stores in London will be the main beneficiaries, many other shops across the country will also take advantage of the new laws.

Asda in Dewsbury, which is usually open from 10am-4pm on a Sunday, will now stay open from 9am-8pm. Tesco confirmed the Tesco Extra in Batley would be open 24 hours, while Cleckheaton’s store would be open longer than normal, with details yet to be confirmed.

Morrisons are still undecided whether their Heckmondwike and Ravensthorpe stores will open longer and there is no change at Sainsbury’s Dewsbury store which will open as normal from 10am-4pm.

A spokeswoman for Asda said: “We’ve talked to customers and colleagues and will be offering our customers greater flexibility in the way they shop over this period.

“Our flexible working practices mean colleagues can opt to work the hours that suit their needs. We know many value the opportunity to take on additional hours.”

A spokesman for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) said: “While we understand some workers will welcome additional hours this will not be the case for others who will want to spend time important weekend time with their family and friends, have parental or caring responsibilities, or may want to watch the games themselves. This extended trading option is only available to large stores for the Olympics and we will oppose any suggestion this should lead to complete deregulation of Sunday trading.”