Reduced Sunday trading hours for Downpatrick supermarket

Reduced Sunday trading hours for Downpatrick supermarket

13 January 2016

THE SuperValu store in Downpatrick has reduced its Sunday opening hours.

For almost two decades, the store at the Ballymote shopping centre was open all day on Sundays, but last weekend it only opened for business between 1pm and 6pm. 

A spokesman from the Musgrave group confirmed yesterday that the Downpatrick store was visited by Newry, Mourne and Down Council officials shortly before Christmas.

She confirmed that following the visit, the store was advised by letter on laws around Sunday opening hours.

The spokeswoman explained as the store is over 280 square metres, trading hours should be restricted to five hours on a Sunday.

She added: “SuperValu Downpatrick was also advised that extended opening hours can be requested for 18 Sundays from April to September.”

A spokesman for the local authority said it did not give the Downpatrick store any instruction to limit its opening hours last Sunday.

She explained under current legislation certain large shops can open for business on an unrestricted basis for 18 nominated Sundays between March 1 and September 30 in any calendar year. Outside these times, large shops may open between 1pm and 6pm.