Government is undertaking a public consultation exercise regarding the issue of whether to change the current Sunday Trading rules.

The existing Sunday trading laws were established in 1994, some 21 years ago under the Sunday Trading Act 1994, and the Government currently proposes to review those rules to see if they should be relaxed to allow shops to open for longer hours on a Sunday.

It is not proposed to change the rules relating to Sunday Trading on Easter Sunday or trading on Christmas Day.

The consultation asks three main questions:

• Should local areas have the power to extend trading hours on a Sunday;

• If the power is devolved, who do you think should be given the power to change Sunday trading rules (for example to Metro Mayors through devolution deals; and/or Local Authorities)

• How would you be impacted by local changes to Sunday trading rules

For further information on the consultation please follow the link to The Department for Innovation & Skills website https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/devolving-sunday-trading-rules

Should you wish to submit your views regarding the consultation please do so using the website above or follow the attached link https://bisgovuk.citizenspace.com/ccp/devolving-sunday-trading-rules

Consultation responses must be submitted by 16 September 2015.