LONDON — A proposal that would prevent large stores from opening for business on Christmas Day appears headed for approval by the British Parliament. The bill has the backing of the government and was given an unopposed second reading March 26.
The proposal, which has the support of trade unions and churches, seeks to correct an anomaly in the 1994 Sunday Trading Act that allowed large stores to open on Sundays. Because that law dealt merely with Sunday trading, it did not cover what is the most common situation — Christmas Day falling on another day of the week. Technically supermarkets and other large stores are legally entitled to open their doors on Christmas Day provided it is not a Sunday.
The proposed bill covers only England and Wales, but a similar bill is being considered by the Scottish Parliament.
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