Sunday trading notification and registration
There have been no restrictions on shopping hours – apart from
Sundays – since the introduction of the Sunday Trading Act in
1994. All shops are now able to open without restrictions
between Monday and Saturday.
Restrictions on Sunday opening times are now confined to large
shops – defined under the Sunday Trading Act as those having an
internal sales area of more than 280 square metres. The critical
consideration is the floor area definition – which is the part of
the shop within a building that is used for display of goods and
customer services.
Small shops are not covered by these restrictions and can open
freely. Please note an application is not required if your shop is
smaller than 280 square metres.
Large shops must:
- Be registered with the council for trading on a Sunday
- Specify the six hours of Sunday trading – which must be between
10am to 6pm
- Provide a sign visible both internally and externally,
specifying the times of trading
They are not allowed to open on Easter Sunday – and on Christmas
Day when it falls on a Sunday.
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 also provides specific measures to
protect the rights of shop workers who do not wish to work on
Sunday.
Apart from the restrictions mentioned above, it is left to
individual owners to determine their opening hours in the light of
customer demand.
To apply for a Sunday trading registration, traders need to
complete an application form and specify your intended opening
hours on a Sunday. Once your application has been accepted,
the council will arrange to enter your trading details on the
register.
Tower Hamlets keeps a public register of the large shops
operating in our area. This can be viewed at the address
below upon request.
Copies of the Sunday Trading Act in 1994 can be obtained from
Office of Public Sector
Information or a copy can be inspected at the council
offices where you may also obtain an application form and further
help or advice.
Alternatively, download a
copy of the application form (PDF, 12K).
You will be contacted in writing on receipt of
the application form.
For further information contact:
Tower Hamlets Trading Standards Team
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 1BY
Open: 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6901
Email: tradingstandards@towerhamlets.gov.uk