Belfast City Council have announced that they plan to allow shops in the city centre to open on Sunday mornings for a six week trial period.  At present large shops in Belfast city centre can open from 1pm to 6pm on Sundays. Those who support a further extension of Sunday opening argue that they desire to see the heart of Belfast revitalised on Sundays, with a particular focus on tourism. However, some parties on the Council are opposed to any further extension of opening hours, and they argue, quite rightly, that it puts further pressure on shop workers and takes away from their right to a family life. Councillor Sarah Bunting stated, “It appears to be a decision more driven by an ideology rather than practicality. Those who support the decision will have the ability to decide how they spend their valuable free time, but shop workers will see it reduced even further”.

However, a far more compelling argument from a Biblical perspective is that Sunday is the Lord’s Day and that all commercial activity should therefore be reduced to an absolute essential minimum. We have observed with great sadness the way in which Belfast has changed on a Sunday. Many years ago, back in 1997, our Knock congregation witnessed in Belfast centre in the run up to Christmas when, for the first time, large stores were allowed to open. On Sundays, traffic in Belfast is heavy from lunch time on as shopping begins. It will be worse once morning opening comes in.

As this will be a trial opening, we would urge people to contact the Council to express their concerns about the direction of travel on shopping on the Lord’s Day.

Our Public Morals Committee issued a press release on this issue which received some media attention.