28 April 2025

SDLP Belfast City Council Group Leader councillor Séamas de Faoite has expressed concern about a proposed extension to Sunday trading hours.

The move was backed by Sinn Féin and Alliance councillors at a meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on Monday.

Councillor De Faoite had proposed exploring other options for Sunday animation in the city.

Councillor de Faoite said:

“The decision to run a council pilot stopping any enforcement against businesses who open early on a Sunday will achieve nothing except increased profits for large multinational retailers. Every time this issue has raised its head over the years unions have been clear that it is opposed by staff who want to retain what is a small measure, but provides improved work-life balance.

“Instead of extending business opening hours I proposed that we look at other ways of making our city active on a Sunday, learning from successful projects like Open Botanic which has brought so much vibrancy to the area, without infringing on workers’ rights. We also need to look at creative ideas like Car Free Sundays which has the potential to open up our communities and allow people to come together, with added boosts for people’s health and our environment.

“The reports behind this decision rely on surveys conducted back in 2016 and 2017, before the Primark fire and Covid-19 pandemic, both which have changed the fabric of our city centre. The least you would expect is for a decision of this magnitude to be backed up with recent evidence.

“The SDLP will continue to put the needs of workers, families and young people before large businesses and we will be pushing against these proposals to allow staff to retain one of the few benefits that have yet to be eroded.”