12 February 2007
The Public Consultation into Sunday Trading Has Now Closed (27/04/2007)
People in Jersey are being asked for their views on new proposals to regulate Sunday trading. The Economic Development Department has launched a public consultation on the draft legislation and hopes to encourage individuals and businesses to express their views before the proposals are put before the States.
Under the current law shops are granted a Sunday trading permit by the Connétable of the relevant parish and there are limits on the products which can be sold. The draft law, aims to make Sunday opening more straightforward and logical, and to balance both commercial and community considerations.
The draft law widens the definition of ‘shops’ to include any premises, structure, vehicle or place used, either permanently or temporarily, and events such as car boot sales. It regulates opening according to the size of the shop and what it mainly sells. Businesses with a retail sales area of more than 200 square metres will not be allowed to open.
The draft legislation can also control deliveries to shops on a Sunday, if this is identified as a problem for the surrounding community.
Shops with a retail sales area of less than 200 square metres will still have to apply to the Connétable of the relevant parish for a permit and any business that wishes to has the right to remain closed
The final draft of the law will take into account feedback expressed during the consultation. The Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Connétable Geoffrey Fisher said, ‘The situation regarding Sunday trading has been unsatisfactory for a number of years and needed reviewing. We think it’s important to canvas as wide a range of views as possible and we are therefore encouraging shoppers, employees, retailers and all others involved, to respond with their views, in an effort to deliver what is best for Jersey.’
You can download a copy of the public consultation paper by clicking the following link Sunday Trading - A Consultation Document. You can get a hard copy of the document by contacting the Economic Development Department on 448136. The consultation closes on 11 April 2007.
More information:
For more information or interviews please contact Connétable Geoffrey Fisher through St Lawrence Parish Hall on 861672, or John Perchard on 448136.
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