Following the introduction of the Sunday Trading Act in 1994 (since amended by The Regulatory Reform (Sunday Trading) Order 2004) shopping hours have been relaxed, except on Sundays.
All shops can now open without restrictions between Monday and Saturday.
Restrictions on opening times on Sundays are now confined to large shops (defined under the Act as those having an internal sales area of over 280sq.m).
The critical consideration is the floor area definition, which is clarified as meaning the part of the shop within a building that is used for display of goods and customer services.
Large shops are permitted to open during any continuous period of six hours on a Sunday beginning no earlier than 10am and ending no later than 6pm.
They are required to remain closed on Easter Sunday and on Christmas Day, when it falls on a Sunday.
Small shops are not covered by these restrictions and can open freely. The Sunday Trading Act 1994 also includes 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.
If you become aware of a large shop that is not complying with the Sunday Trading Act 1994 (as amended), please contact the health and safety team.
foodandsafety@slough.gov.uk
01753 875255 or 875221
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
My Council
Landmark Place
High Street
Slough
opposite Slough Library
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