Sunday trading

Trading on Sundays

Shops with a floor space of more than 280 square metres can sell goods from 1pm to 6pm on Sundays. They must close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, if it falls on a Sunday.

Some larger stores can trade on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, including:

• shops selling motor and cycle supplies and accessories
• registered pharmacies
• petrol stations
• airport, port or railway station shops.

We have received a number of requests from large shops in the city for extended Sunday trading hours, which cannot be facilitated under the current legislation – The Shops (Sunday Trading & c) Northern Ireland Order 1997 (link opens in new window)

Our Strategic Policy and Resourcing Committee has asked for a report to look at options for an extended Sunday opening hours pilot to be run in the city centre. This was ratified at the full council meeting on 1 October 2024. The report will be considered by elected members at a future meeting of the committee.