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SUNDAY TRADING
The trend to illegal Sunday trading has greatly increased over the
past year within the Borough. Enforcement is a long and tedious
process and the Authority's three Inspectors have been involved
in more than the normal amount of Sunday duty. It is realised that
it is impossible to devote adequate time to this problem so enforcement
in the first instance has been directed at areas of specific
complaint and cases of blatant advertising.
Although 153 visits were made in connection with Sunday trading
it was only possible to bring two offenders before the Courts.
EARLY CLOSING
Shops unless otherwise exempted by the Act or by the local
Orders must close their premises at 1.00 p.m. on one weekday.
In Havering there are a great many trades which are locally
exempted and have the right to trade for six days.
In the larger departmental stores it has been confusing to the
public to find that they can buy some goods and not others.
Ladies' wear which is permitted and menswear which is not.
New shopkeepers to the Town are often unaware of the complexity
of these local Orders and do not take advantage of the advisory
service given by the Inspectors.
It was unfortunate that one menswear retailer was prosecuted for
not observing half day closing. Since this action was taken the
Authority have received a request for an exemption Order to cover
this trade and a poll of those traders affected will be taken to
ascertain whether it is a majority wish that an Order be made.
Of 1,074 visits to premises relating to Early Closing 129 infringements
were found.
EVENING CLOSING
While the general closing hours for the majority of shops is
8.00 p.m. only a majority take advantage of staying open late,
and then usually only for one evening per week. Surveys were
carried out during the year of selected areas and of 34 visits
recorded it was necessary to issue cautions in two instances.
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