5 ms·

Being old and remembering before the massive liberalisation of Sunday trading, far from wishing away the token restrictions we have left, I wish we could go bac

Being old and remembering before the massive liberalisation of Sunday trading, far from wishing away the token restrictions we have left, I wish we could go back to the old way. No opening on Sunday at all unless you're on the exemption list, as it used to be. So the takeaway, ice cream seller, corner shop etc were fine to open, typical high street shops were not. It's really annoying to have every day a normal day with no distinct break. There was a distinct change of pace and feel, far, far less traffic on the roads, and a day free of annoying commerce everywhere. The whole world seemed quieter and lazier on Sunday, and thanks to the huge reduction of traffic, smelt nicer. It was the obvious day for the BBQ, day trip to the beach or theatre, the event in the local park, meet with friends etc. I miss it.

urbanjunkie 7y ago
No, it was shit. Completely and totally shit.
- amaccuish 7y ago
  I agree. When I need a particular screwdriver or cable for a weekend project, I don't want to have to wait till next Saturday when I'm free.
journalctl 7y ago
Can’t you do all of those things anyway? Or stay home? I don’t see why someone’s desire for a quaint Sunday should prevent me from doing my grocery shopping. What if Sunday is my only free day?
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  Sure, except then it's without the actual benefits of a quiet day. The staff at those businesses, delivery drivers and what not are now working Sundays too. Lots of small businesses and self employed are pushed near to the point of no free day, just to compete and stay trading. Early closing day and closed Sunday is a forgotten concept. There's plenty of families now where both partners getting common free days is a rarity, let alone organising group meets. You don't need a day for grocery shopping - just an hour or so. It's not like we found it difficult, or the public agitated for it before Sunday was added to supermarkets and Primark. It was just a concerted trade push for more commerce. :)
- deogeo 7y ago
  Just like you can refuse to work weekends, or for below minimum wage. But when your refusal puts you at a disadvantage compared to your competition, it eventually stops being a viable choice.
pjc50 7y ago
This approach relies on having a wife who is free to go shopping during the week. Even the isle of Harris, which still maintains Sunday closing and the slow island pace of life, is changing away from it.
- close04 7y ago
  Where I live Sunday is a dead day. People (husbands and wives seem equally qualified somehow) just resort to a super creative workaround: shopping on Saturdays and any other evening when coming back from work. I do most of the shopping on Saturday and any “instant demand” evenings on my way home. And I was kind of annoyed when I realized how Sunday works here but came to realize other people want their Sundays free and quiet just as I do. Most people who really need to buy whatever on a Sunday would be screaming the loudest if asked to work Sundays.
- deogeo 7y ago
  > This approach relies on having a wife who is free to go shopping during the week. Or you can stop at a store on your way back from work...
- NeedMoreTea 7y ago
  Well when supermarkets all closed at 5:30, except one not very late night (7pm? 8pm?) a week certainly seemed to be. Current hours of 6 late nights probably to 9 or 10, and some 24/6 supermarkets, just restricting Sunday doesn't seem restrictive. The Islands, and some parts of Wales, maybe other regions had a much more restrictive approach to Sundays than our old "fun permitted" rules, as a religious thing. They'd have more like a total shutdown, with dry Sundays and restriction of entertainments and travel. That may have changed, but they might still be far behind even our old Sunday trading rules!
CalRobert 7y ago
I spent a few years as a member of a church that took the sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) seriously. Having a day where you just. did. not. work (and didn't make other people work for you), was honestly pretty great. Great day to go to the beach, hang out, bbq, hike, etc. I left the church but really miss that aspect of it.

urbanjunkie 7y ago

No, it was shit. Completely and totally shit.

amaccuish 7y ago
I agree. When I need a particular screwdriver or cable for a weekend project, I don't want to have to wait till next Saturday when I'm free.

journalctl 7y ago

Can’t you do all of those things anyway? Or stay home? I don’t see why someone’s desire for a quaint Sunday should prevent me from doing my grocery shopping. What if Sunday is my only free day?

NeedMoreTea 7y ago
Sure, except then it's without the actual benefits of a quiet day. The staff at those businesses, delivery drivers and what not are now working Sundays too. Lots of small businesses and self employed are pushed near to the point of no free day, just to compete and stay trading. Early closing day and closed Sunday is a forgotten concept. There's plenty of families now where both partners getting common free days is a rarity, let alone organising group meets. You don't need a day for grocery shopping - just an hour or so. It's not like we found it difficult, or the public agitated for it before Sunday was added to supermarkets and Primark. It was just a concerted trade push for more commerce. :)
deogeo 7y ago
Just like you can refuse to work weekends, or for below minimum wage. But when your refusal puts you at a disadvantage compared to your competition, it eventually stops being a viable choice.

pjc50 7y ago

This approach relies on having a wife who is free to go shopping during the week. Even the isle of Harris, which still maintains Sunday closing and the slow island pace of life, is changing away from it.

close04 7y ago
Where I live Sunday is a dead day. People (husbands and wives seem equally qualified somehow) just resort to a super creative workaround: shopping on Saturdays and any other evening when coming back from work. I do most of the shopping on Saturday and any “instant demand” evenings on my way home. And I was kind of annoyed when I realized how Sunday works here but came to realize other people want their Sundays free and quiet just as I do. Most people who really need to buy whatever on a Sunday would be screaming the loudest if asked to work Sundays.
deogeo 7y ago
> This approach relies on having a wife who is free to go shopping during the week. Or you can stop at a store on your way back from work...
NeedMoreTea 7y ago
Well when supermarkets all closed at 5:30, except one not very late night (7pm? 8pm?) a week certainly seemed to be. Current hours of 6 late nights probably to 9 or 10, and some 24/6 supermarkets, just restricting Sunday doesn't seem restrictive. The Islands, and some parts of Wales, maybe other regions had a much more restrictive approach to Sundays than our old "fun permitted" rules, as a religious thing. They'd have more like a total shutdown, with dry Sundays and restriction of entertainments and travel. That may have changed, but they might still be far behind even our old Sunday trading rules!

CalRobert 7y ago

I spent a few years as a member of a church that took the sabbath (Friday night to Saturday night) seriously. Having a day where you just. did. not. work (and didn't make other people work for you), was honestly pretty great. Great day to go to the beach, hang out, bbq, hike, etc. I left the church but really miss that aspect of it.