Sunday Trading

The Shops Sunday Trading (NI) Order 1997

Under the Shops (Sunday Trading, etc) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, the occupier of a large shop situated in an area designated as a Holiday Resort, may apply to the District Council specifying up to 18 Sundays in a year where the shop will be exempt from the rule that they may only open between 13:00 and 18:00 hours on Sunday.

Where the District Councill passes a resolution to designate any area in its district as a holiday resort, this allows large shops to trade at any time on Sundays for up to 18 Sundays between the period 1 March – 30 September in any calendar year (not Easter Sunday).

Any restrictions which would apply to the sale of beer, wines and spirits would be controlled by Liquor Licensing Conditions and are not covered by the above Sunday Trading legislation. Premises should consult the conditions of their Liquor Licence to establish the position for beers, wines and spirits.

Exemptions for Large Shops

There are specific exemptions for large shops in relation to Sunday opening. Some large shops are exempt from the restrictions placed on opening hours. The exemption applies to:

• off-licences selling only or mainly alcohol
• airport and railway station outlets
• service station outlets
• registered pharmacies selling only medicinal products and medical and surgical appliances
• farms selling mainly their own produce
• outlets wholly or mainly selling motor or bicycle supplies and accessories
• suppliers of goods to aircraft or sea-going vessels on arrival at, or departure from, a port, harbour or airport
• exhibition stands selling goods

How to Apply?

If occupiers of a large shop (over 280m²) wish to avail of additional Sunday trading hours, between 1 March and 30 September in any calendar year, an application must be submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council specifying the Sundays on which they wish to open for the additional hours.

Application forms can be obtained from:

Contact Details

Email: licensing@nmandd.org

Telephone: 0330 137 4030