Sunday opening compromise reached

SHOPS could be allowed to open 10 Sundays a year, instead of a current five, as part of an agreement between reformers and traditionalists in the governing UMP party.

President Sarkozy, who is leading the calls to reform the trading laws, has agreed the deal with MPs in his own party who are opposed to major changes in Sunday trading laws.

While the president is favourable to more trading, seeing it as good for the economy, traditionalists would prefer to keep it as a day of rest.

However the stalemate between the two sides has now been broken due to the meeting also attended by PM François Fillon and Work Minister Xavier Bertrand.

UMP leader in the National Assembly Jean-Francois Copé said: “There was a total blockage. Now there has been a strong opening.”

Key points include allowing shops to open ten Sundays instead of five, on agreement of mayors in each commune. Food shops would not be concerned.

Tourist zones, which allow for Sunday opening, would be enlarged. There would also be special permission for more opening in some border areas, such as in the Lille area, where there is competition from Belgian shops which open on Sundays. More Sunday trading in certain “commercial zones” would also be allowed.

An original set of proposals to allow widespread Sunday trading in the largest urban areas may be dropped, though this has not been finalised.

An amended Sunday trading bill is now expected to be considered by parliament in January.

Photo:Albany Tim