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61
[1930
In certain localities, such as Upper Street, Holloway Road, St. James's Road,
Caledonian Road, Essex Road, and practically the whole of the poorer part of the
Borough, Sunday trading (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) is carried on, and is increasing.
Only the very large businesses close on Sunday. Practically everything can be
bought on Sunday; ironmongery, drapery, food, etc. There appears to be a
general feeling that there should be compulsory closing on Sunday; the necessity
for keeping open is purely competitive.
As regards work carried on when shops are closed for selling, this was found
to prevail among provision dealers and grocers, but those so employed are limited
to the Manager and senior employees, who work about 1½ hours extra per day,
finishing orders and clearing up. The extra time was not considered a hardship
in view of the general consideration shown by the firms.
In connection with special trades it was noticed that chemists have no clear
half-day early closing day, as they dispense medicines on the evening of the early
closing day, and morning and evening on Sunday. There appears to be a bad rota
arrangement on the matter, which could be quite simply remedied in such a trade
by mutual agreement for fewer shops, well distributed, to open. Generally
speaking, in Islington the premises and hygenic conditions are good. Some shops
are extremely cold in winter, owing to perishable goods being dealt with, or the
nature of the stock. Heat is not provided except occasionally. In some, a
radiator in the cash desk or a fire in the parlour behind is provided.
The businesses thus involved—cold—are butchers, confectioners, cooked
meats, tripe shops, dairies, tobacconists, fishmongers, greengrocers, provision
dealers, fruiterers. Lighting on the whole is good. The sanitary condition was
generally satisfactory, but in small businesses only one w.c. was provided for both
sexes. If the proprietor lived on the premises, and this was the domestic w.c., the
accommodation was clean and well looked after, and the arrangement was more
satisfactory than where the proprietor was non-resident.
In roughly half of the cases small mess accommodation was permitted in, say,
a kitchen with gas stove, cookers to make their food hot if employees brought it
in, and a chair or chairs and table. In the majority of cases there was no retiring
room or separate room for eating. Heating usually done by a gas ring in the
room. The kitchens, on the whole, were fairly clean, but not bright. Much
improvement could be effected in making these more attractive.
With few exceptions, cloak rooms, as such, were not provided, and there were
very few retiring rooms for female assistants. If the proprietor lived on the
premises, if the female hands did not feel well they used the house rooms.
Personal washing arrangements; in most cases good provision was made and
generally satisfactory.
Seats.—In roughly about one quarter of the cases, although seats were provided
and the Shop Hours Act " observed," the assistants were not encouraged
to use the seats.
Heavy weight lifting. 6 per cent. (e.g., two cwt. sacks of potatoes, sugar,
etc.). Mostly in greengrocers, grocers, butchers, and in a few cases, dairies
(churns, etc.).
General Welfare Arrangements.—Not one firm had these arrangements, or a
woman employed. In about half (46.6%) ambulance box provided.