OPINION: Sunday trading laws

It's bad enough that Christians impose restrictions on shops on a regular Sunday, but, of course, this weekend includes one of their "special days" and rather than the usual restriction if just 6 hours that shops can open, this Sunday they can't open at all.

This is a monstrous imposition on the rest if society - the majority of who don't believe the mumbo jumbo of a fictitious man coming back to life.

Sure, there are those who will say that shops are open often enough and people have ample opportunity to spend their earnings. Yes, to a point I agree.

But the problem I have is one group of people, in practising terms a fairly small minority, imposing their beliefs on others - particularly when their beliefs are nothing more than lies and indoctrination.

I think shops should be allowed to open when they want and for as long as they want. There is every chance that some shops might choose to restrict their trading hours on a Sunday. Similarly there's a chance some shops will choose to be completely shut on some days during the year.

The point is, it should be their choice. It shouldn't be dictated by a pushy church, legislated on by 70+ unelected bishops in the House of Lords. And it mustn't be dictated by people who talk to imaginary friends and live their lives in fear if going to a non-existent hell.

Sure, there might be a need for some localised laws do that shop openings don't disrupt the lives of people who live near them. And, absolutely, there must be laws that protect the rights of workers from exploitation by bad bosses.

But we live in a 24/7, 365 day a year world and if the Sunday trading laws can be relaxed in the build up to the Olympics they can, and should, be relaxed all year round - including Eastee Sunday.

How dare Christians force their faith on those of us with reason and knowledge on our side.

Let's hope that tomorrow is the last time the loony tunes from Lambeth Palace are able to dictate what the rest of society can do.

COMMENT: The Portas Review - what nonsense

Mary Portas has, today, published her plans to save the "traditional high street" after many months of consultation.

Her suggestions include less regulation for high street traders and a National Market Day. If we follow these, apparently, we will have a thriving high street.

I think the term that comes to mind is "poppycock"!

We don't have a thriving high street because shoppers, in their droves, have turned their back on them. They, generally, offer a smaler range of goods at more expensive prices than out of town centres and, when car park charges are included, there seems little to recommend the high street.

My objections to her proposals are numerous, because her report is fundamentally flawed.

We live, rightly or wrongly, in a capitalist system. It is not for the government to be manipulating the marketplace to favour one type of shopping outlet over another. Businesses fail because they fail to find customers and fail to move with the times. It is right that bad businesses fail - and no good business fails, ever.

Portas' suggestion of a "National Market Day" is silly style over substance nonsense of which Barack Obama, the ultimate style over substance politician, would be proud. Yes, events can help drive business, but they have to be events with a purpose and, probably, a local focus.

In our already overly consumerist society,do we really want another day to celebrate shopping and consumerism? I'm sure Hallmark are already planning on printing "Happy Market Day" cards that they will sell... In their out of town mall outlets!

Some towns do manage to have thriving and successful town centres and high streets. If some can succeed then it is only incompetence that makes others fail, and location is a factor. Many thriving high streets are in places where lots if peope visit, there is a tourist pull.

And isn't it right that everything, including the way in which we shop, evolve? Some may not like shopping malls but they are what the majority of people choose to use. Why should they be penalised because some monstrous woman, and some idiots on the Tory right, have a rise-tinted view of what shopping used to be like.

Things change. Live with it.

Yes, I agree that out of town shopping centres have an unfair advantage when it comes to parking, and that parking charges in some towns is quite expensive, but aren't we meant to be discouraging car use, for the sake of the environment? I'd favour all shops, malls and out of town retail parks having to charge for their car parking - and probably at a higher rate than at present. Certainly, it's wrong that the likes of the Trafford Centre and Meadowhell can offer free parking all day - but it is equally wrong that car parking charges in small towns are reduced. Look at the big picture.

Now I agree with Portas about reducing red tape - but not reducing it for the sake of it, only when it is not necessary - again, ths should apply to all businesses, not just high street shops. And ket's not forget, some red tape is essential.

Ultimately, shoppers will go where they will get the most convenient value for money. The high street has had it's day and, apparent from in tourist towns, I suggest it has died - and so be it.

As my wife will attest, I'm not a fan of big shopping malls, but I won't shed a single tear for the death of the high street, andI think it is wrong that any public money is used to keep this dodo on a life support system just to appease those who haven't moved with the times.

The high street is dead. So what?