Seasonal and Sunday trading

Rules for Sunday trading in Northern Ireland came into force in 1997. Employers must be aware that staff who work on a Sunday may have special employment rights.

Sunday trading rules allow small shops in Northern Ireland with a floor area of up to 280 square metres (3,014 square feet) to choose their own Sunday opening hours. Large shops with a floor area greater than this limit can only open between 1pm and 6pm on a Sunday.

This guide sets out when large shops can open on a Sunday and outlines the steps they must take if they do. It covers the restrictions on opening hours for large shops on Easter Sunday and on Christmas Day.

This guide also outlines marketing and business considerations to take into account when trading in the holiday selling season.