When can shops open on Sundays in Northern Ireland?
How Sunday trading laws affect large retail businesses in Northern Ireland and the hours they are permitted to open.
In Northern Ireland, large shops can only open on a Sunday between 1pm and 6pm. They are defined as retail businesses with a floor area of more than 280 square metres (3,014 square feet).
Smaller shops with a floor area of up to 280 square metres (3,014 square feet) can open whenever they choose.
If you run a large retail business you also need to check whether you require permission from your district council to load and unload goods before 9am on a Sunday.
Larger shops could face significant fines for not complying with these requirements.
Shops exempt from Sunday trading rules
Some categories of large shops are exempt from the restrictions placed on opening hours. They are:
- 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
Sunday trading employee rights
Workers in any size of shop that opens on a normal Sunday, Easter Sunday or Christmas Day may have special employment rights.