DIY chains win Sunday case

TWO DIY chains have been allowed to open their Ile-de-France stores on Sunday by a court of appeal.

Castorama and Leroy Merlin were initially ordered to shut after a case brought by rival Bricorama.

Bricorama was forced to close on Sundays at the beginning of 2012 after the FO union took it to court.

It argued that if it was forced to shut on Sunday, so should its rivals – a decision that was confirmed by the tribunal de Bobigny last September.

Castorama and Leroy Merlin appealed the decision, describing the plethora of different laws, authorisations and exceptions as “an amazing mess”.

They kept their stores open, despite a threat of a €120,000 fine per shop per Sunday.

The Paris Court of Appeal today ruled that the stores could remain open.

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