Managers of commercial property retail shopping centre Meadowhall have welcomed the easing of Sunday trading laws during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
They are getting ready to respond to large commercial property shops in England and Wales being allowed by the Government to open for more than six hours on Sundays over eight weekends between July and September.
Centre Director of Meadowhall, Darren Pearce who was among the pioneers of Sunday opening in the 1990s, said: “Meadowhall Shopping Centre welcomes the Chancellor’s decision to relax the Sunday trading laws during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, allowing retailers to take full advantage of the expected trading opportunities.”
He further added: “Meadowhall will be speaking to centre’s retailers in line with the proposals about how best to embrace the plans for all concerned.”
Chancellor George Osborne said the move was planned to maximise the economic enhancement from the tens of thousands of visitors coming to London for the Olympic Games. Elsewhere in the country, he hopes consumers will be encouraged out by the lighter summer evenings.
Yet shopworkers’ union Usdaw is “vehemently opposed” to the idea, arguing that the Government’s own consultation shows no widespread support from either retailers or the public for change.
Critics of the new legislation, including church leaders, similarly fear relaxation for the 2012 Games may well be the first step towards making the relaxation of the laws permanent.
Meanwhile commercial property Fashion retailer Internaçionale is set to open a new concept flagship this weekend within the Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield. The commercial property store will be the first of the brand’s new state-of-the-art and contemporary concept stores created in conjunction with creative design agency Raylians, and will offer the hottest fashion from its main fashion line and Sophie girlswear collection.
The new commercial property store, which will produce in excess of 40 jobs, features a custom-made interior that has been designed for the fashion brand by Harris Cox and will consist of a new footwear department, fitting room layouts and furniture and cash desks.
Internaçionale Retail Operations Director, Caraline Money said: “Meadowhall is one of the UK’s premier shopping destinations, so when this store became available we jumped at the opportunity, as it is extremely important for us to have a strong brand presence in this market.
“The strategy for this year is to enter key markets to raise the profile of the brand and increase market share within the fashion retail sector.”
The Internaçionale concept flagship store will be opened on March 30 by Sheffield-born celebrity presenter Jessica-Jane Clement.
