Sunday trading licence

If your shop's retail area is over 280 square metres:

• you’re only allowed to open for any 6 hours on Sundays between the hours of 10am and 6pm
• you’re not allowed to open on Easter Sunday (or Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday)
• you must register for Sunday trading
• you must display the Sunday opening times both inside and outside your shop

Exemptions for small shops

Small shops with a retail area of less than 280 square metres can open when they want on Sundays and do not need a Sunday trading licence.

Other exemptions include:

• public houses, off-licences and takeaways (opening hours for these are governed by their licence requirements)
• chemists and pharmacies (where only medical goods are sold)
• shops in railway stations
• petrol filling stations and service areas
• motor accessory shops (where only motor or cycle supplies are sold)
• farm shops (where only produce from that farm is sold)
• exhibition stands

You can read more about trading hours for retailers.

Apply for a Sunday trading licence

Read the notes on the form before applying.

Download the Sunday trading application form (PDF) 

Email your completed form to ohs@southwark.gov.uk

Businesses observing the Jewish Sabbath

If your business wants to close on Saturdays and open on Sundays instead, you must email ohs@southwark.gov.uk to serve us a notice informing us of your beliefs.

You must do this 14 days before you want to open. Once your business is registered, your business will have unrestricted Sunday opening hours. If your business is run by a company or partnership, the majority of partners or directors must observe the Jewish Sabbath.