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To say such legislation is unnecessary is totally contrary
to the opinions formed by the Borough's enforcement officers,
the representing trade union and the National Chamber of Trade
No law is perfect and of course, there are areas where
greater flexibility would be advantageous to allow the law to
keep up with the ever changing trend in the retail distribution
trades.
Entry into Europe
Many thought that entry into Europe on the 1st January, 1973
would see the 'Continental Sunday' spreading across the channel,
resultant in many more shops opening here on a Sunday
Such thinking was short lived with the introduction of an
amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1972 which raised the
penalties for Sunday trading tenfold.
References to £5 now become £50 and references to £20
become £200,
The original penalties having been operative since 1936
were not a deterrent to those shopkeepers who sold items on a
Sunday such as motor cars, where any subsequent fines could be
readily paid from the profits of such illegal transactions.
Sunday Trading and Employment
The level of illegal Sunday transactions within the Borough
is still high. The majority of these transactions though are of
a minor nature and take place in shops which can legally stay
open for permitted items, thetemptation is tosupply non-permitted
goods to regular customers rather than lose their patronage.
This area of enforcement is very unpopular with both the
public and the shopkeeper.
Blatant cases of illegal trading from those shops which
cannot legally remain open on aSunday are dealt with vigorously.
Particular attention is paid to shops where staff are
employed, to see that the Statutory records are kept and compensatory
holidays in respect of fuIl.-time employees are allowed
A total of 237 Sunday visits were made resulting in 65
infringements being noted
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