Supermarkets could be permitted to remain open for extended hours on Sundays under proposed changes that ministers are reportedly considering.

Current regulations mean that large stores exceeding 280 square metres in England may only trade for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays and must remain closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

Smaller retailers under 280 square metres are not subject to these limitations and may open at any time on Sundays. The Grocer has revealed that easing Sunday trading regulations is being discussed by Treasury sources, as Labour confronts criticism over business rates reforms anticipated for next year.

Ministers have enacted legislation enabling them to implement a higher business rate multiplier on properties valued at £500,000 o

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