Sunday trading.

[Workingman]

It is another of those 'we can do it so we will do it' things.

Shops already get 96 hours opening every week, that's almost 60% of the time, how much more do they NEED?

Opening whenever they can, because, is not much of a moot point if you are one of the poor sods covering shifts 24/7. Where one week your 'weekend' is Tuesday and Thursday and the next it is Friday and Monday and also with your shifts all over the place.

It is noticeable that some supermarkets have stopped doing 24hr opening in some places because there is no call for it.

[Suff]

Absolutely. Where there is a call for it, then it will be provided. However when it is denied, then there will always be a call for it.

[Workingman]

Who is being denied anything?

Out of all of the UK's workers how many work 7 am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays? None? Even those on the weirdest shifts, and I have worked some, still get plenty of chances to go shopping.

Free time to chill or spend time with our family and friends is priceless.

[Suff]

Who is being denied anything?

Me, I've been denied Sunday shopping on many occasions in England in the evening. Something I enjoy in Holland, Sweden and Scotland but not in England. I can't tell you how annoyed I've been flying into England on a Sunday then having to race to the only shop around which is open to 6pm...

Note that in France, Germany, Belgium and Spain this is not the case, they have no Sunday shopping. Countries who have very strong religious representation to the state. Just like the Anglicans of England.

So, yes, I'm being denied and many others like me. Great, not all shops here in Scotland are 24h. I'm sitting quite close to one of them but, as the years go on, they creep closer and closer to midnight in order to capture that more flexible working market.

But, as with Scotland, it will only be offered when it's needed.

[Kaz]

Have you any idea how 'entitled' that makes you sound Suff? Your need to shop at odd hours is more important than someone having fair working hours?

[Workingman]

Suff, you have been denied nothing at all.

If you knew that you needed some shopping you had plenty of opportunities to do it during the present opening hours. The fact that you wanted to do it 'when you wanted' is tough, but that is just the way things are.

I really and honestly cannot think why the world should revolve around me and what I want. I rather think that is up to me to fit in.

[TheOstrich]

I'm not actually sure there is a huge demand for 24/7 supermarket shopping, to be honest. On the odd occasions I've popped into either the local Co-op or Asda of an evening, they've been relatively deserted. Yes, it's nice to be able to pick up something if you run out, or have a fancy (Mr Kipling Fondant Fancies in Mrs O's case ) but not to the extent of making people work unsocial hours if they don't want to. That said, Asda's staffing is pretty minimal after 18:00, only 3 or 4 checkouts open this evening in a bank of around 40. Plenty of people restocking the shelves, though!

Of course, there'll always be folk like our Suff who have hectic or unpredictable itineries which sometimes make it difficult to shop at conventional times, but I though that's what Domino's Pizza deliveries were for ....

[Kaz]

Yes, shelf stackers have always by necessity worked at night, that's not quite the same thing is it? Retail used to be a great little job, especially for students or working mums, but these days with unsocial hours, Bank Holidays and Sundays, as well as most stores requiring shift work rather than having regular set days it can be a nightmare to plan any sort of life outside work! 24/7 availability is expected for what might only be an 8 or 12 hour contract. Oh and don't get me started on zero hour contracts

[victor]

plenty of staff i speak to here (open til 10pm Sun) are happy about it.

I WAS surprised when we moved here to see it as it's R.C. and i thought the Church would fight it
.

A couple years back the Govt cancelled 2 B.H. Holidays as part of the "Austerity" moves--whereupon the Church said "on yer bike" and the days are still taken!

[Aggers]

I WAS surprised when we moved here to see it as it's R.C. and i thought the
Church would fight it.

I think there are other things the church in this country should have fought, but chose not to.
That's the reason why I don't go to church any more.