Commentary on Sections Section 1: Prohibition of opening of large shops on Christmas Day
8.Subsection (1) prohibits large shops from opening on Christmas Day. Subsection (2) exempts those shops currently exempt from restrictions on Sunday trading under paragraph 3(1) of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act. Shops covered by the exemption include farm shops, shops selling intoxicating liquor, motor or cycle supplies, pharmacies, petrol stations, shops located in transport centres and stands at exhibitions.
9.Subsection (4) amends paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 1 to the 1994 Act (which covers interpretation of the exemptions contained in paragraph 3(1) of that Schedule) insofar as it applies to this Act and ensures that those exemptions apply to the provisions of this Act.