Retail & Consumer Goods UK-wide

Sunday Trading Rules

Understand Sunday trading hours restrictions and exemptions in England and Wales.

Guide summary

Check if your shop is a large shop (over 280 square metres). If it is, you must only open for 6 continuous hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays in England and Wales. Some shops like those in airports or petrol stations are exempt. You could be fined up to £50,000 if you break these rules.

  • Check if your shop is large (over 280 sq m or about 3,000 sq ft)
  • Large shops must open for 6 continuous hours between 10am and 6pm on Sunday
  • Common opening patterns: 10am-4pm, 11am-5pm, or 12pm-6pm
  • Small shops (under 280 sq m) can open any hours on Sunday
  • Fines for breaking rules can be up to £50,000 in England and Wales
  • Exempt shops include airports, petrol stations and farm shops
  • Large shops must close on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday
  • Shop workers can refuse to work Sunday by giving written notice
On this page

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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.