Annual retail compliance checklist
Quick annual compliance verification for established retailers. Covers consumer rights, pricing, age verification, data protection, Sunday trading, fire …
Retail & Consumer Goods
Sunday Trading Rules
Understand Sunday trading hours restrictions and exemptions in England and Wales.
UK-wide
Guide summary
Large shops in England and Wales can only open for 6 hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays. Shops under 280 sq metres can open all day. Check if your shop is exempt, like petrol stations or pharmacies. Employees can refuse Sunday work with notice.
- Large shops (over 280 sq m): 6 hours between 10am-6pm
- Small shops (under 280 sq Nicolas m): no restrictions
- Exempt locations: airports, petrol stations, pharmacies
- Easter Sunday: large shops must close
- Christmas Day: all large shops must close
- Employees can opt out of Sunday work with 3 months'/"> notice", "Penalties up to £50?000 for opening outside allowed hours
On this page
UK-wide
Related guides in Consumer Rights
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 restricts opening hours for large shops in England and Wales. Penalties for breach can be up to £50,000. Rules differ significantly across the UK nations.
Employee rights
Shop workers (unless employed to work only Sundays) can opt out of Sunday working at any time by giving 3 months' written notice — the notice period, not a qualifying period of employment. Dismissing an employee for refusing Sunday work is automatically unfair dismissal.