Sunday trading times pilot to begin in Belfast - what do people think?

A pilot scheme to extend Belfast city centre trading hours on a Sunday will begin at 11:00 BST.

It means that for two days - 2 and 9 August - larger shops that would usually remain closed until 13:00 will be able to open at the earlier time.

The two Sundays are during the city's hosting of the all-Ireland music and dance festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

It is a move that people in the city have mixed feelings about. Some have welcomed the extra few hours, but one retail workers union said it will take its toll on its members and their families.

Some business groups had described the pilot as "piecemeal"

Convenience stores, like Spar and Centra, can already open so this widens the range of retailers that can open.

BBC News NI spoke to people in the city about what they make of the change.

"I'm all for it," Declan Morgan said.

"This country's so stuck in the past, with opening at one on a Sunday."

Morgan added it may be some people's only day off.

"There's nothing you can do because the city's closed till 1pm."

He said he would use the city centre more often on a Sunday if it was open earlier.

However Kerri-Lee Latham takes a different view and says it is "unfair".

"I think realistically, retail in general, they have a lot on their plate as it is dealing with the public and I think keeping it as it is makes it a lot fairer.

"I think it's a bit ridiculous," the former retail worker added.

For self-confessed early person Stella McVey city centre shops opening earlier suits her.

"I would like to be in and out."

McVey added that opening at 13:00 is "half the day over".

Jill O'Donnell agrees, she said: "I think it's a good opportunity to give the people to come in and promote the businesses in the city centre.

"On a Sunday, there's not much for anybody to do, so it's good to have a couple extra hours. For people who work as well, like myself, I work at the weekend, so it's a good chance to get in, get whatever you need picked up and away."

Raymond Smith thinks the pilot is a "good idea".

"I wouldn't often be in, but it would fall more in line with what I was used to do when visiting in England and things like that."

He added that getting in earlier will "free up the day".

However the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) general secretary, Joanne Thomas, said they are "disappointed" that the pilot is starting.

"Our members remain totally opposed to extending Sunday trading hours. Allowing large stores to open for longer hours on Sundays will have a negative impact on retail workers, their families and our communities.

"Longer Sunday trading will take a heavy toll on staff who'll come under even more pressure to work, when they would rather be spending time with family and engaging in community, sports and leisure activities or attending church.

"Even supporters of extended Sunday opening hours have not been able to show it will lead to economic benefits or job creation. Put simply, opening shops for longer does not mean people have more money to spend.

"We all want to see a strong and diverse retail sector in Belfast and across the nation, but that means striking the right balance. We urge City Councillors to listen to the majority of shop workers and retailers who do not want extended Sunday trading."

Belfast City Council carried out an eight-week public consultation on Sunday opening hours earlier this year.

The results suggested a large majority of people in Belfast in favour of extending the opening hours – 82% compared to 16%, with 2% neutral.

However, retail workers were split with only a slight majority 48% compared to 47% in favour.

Belfast City Council considered feedback received in relation to the public consultation on Sunday opening and whether to designate Belfast as a holiday resort designation on 22 May 2026.

While the two dates during the Fleadh were decided as a pilot, a Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "Further engagement is required before agreeing to designate the city as a holiday resort on an ongoing basis allowing extended opening hours on any other Sundays and requested that options are brought forward around animating the city on Sunday mornings, as well as potential funding for these."

"The decision was ratified by council on Monday 1 June."

In Northern Ireland, shops with a floor space of more than 280 square metres can sell goods on Sunday between 13:00 and 18:00, excluding Easter Sunday and Christmas Day if it falls on a Sunday.

If areas are designated as holiday resorts, large shops are permitted to open at any time on up to 18 Sundays between 1 March and 30 September each year, excluding Easter Sunday.

The holiday designation means that these shops do not have to follow the restricted Sunday trading hours on those 18 days.

Some business groups across Belfast had described the pilot as "piecemeal" and said that only two Sundays during a big event week in August would not provide evidence of feasibility.

Belfast Chamber CEO Clare Guinness said she welcomes the pilot "but this should be seen as a trial that falls well short of a solution".

"When these temporary changes were agreed earlier this year, we described the decision as 'a cop-out, not a compromise' because limiting extended trading to just two Sundays fails to reflect the opportunity that exists for Belfast all year round."

Guinness added she hopes the two Sundays forming the pilot "mark the beginning of a wider conversation about creating a city that is open, welcoming and economically vibrant every Sunday".