Summary
3.The Act prohibits large stores (as defined in the Sunday Trading Act 1994 ("the 1994 Act")) from opening on Christmas Day.
4.The 1994 Act prohibits large stores from opening on Christmas Day when that day falls on a Sunday. The purpose of the Act is to extend that prohibition to Christmas Day where that day falls on a day of the week other than Sunday.
5.The Act also prohibits loading and unloading at large shops before 9 a.m. in areas designated as loading control areas by a local authority under section 2 of the 1994 Act. Loading and unloading is only prohibited under the Act insofar as it is carried out in connection with the trade or business carried on in the shop.
6.The Act does not seek to regulate opening by shops with a relevant floor area (as defined) of 280 square metres (3,000 square feet) or less.
7.The main definitions of the terms contained in this Act are set out in the glossary annexed to these Notes.