A MAJOR survey of St Helier shopkeepers is being launched on the issue of Sunday trading.

The St Helier Retailers Association have sent questions to 250 businesses in an attempt to get a clear industry view on Sabbath opening.

Later this month the States will debate Senator Ted Vibert’s proposition to lift many of the restrictions but association chairman Richard Clews says it would be wrong for the public to assume that the impetus for liberalising the law comes from the stores themselves.

Mr Clews says Sunday trading has again become a political pawn but the views of retailers have not been taken into account.

‘We recognise that this is a very complex issue,’ says Mr Clews.

‘Sunday opening has an impact on businesses and on the staff who work in those businesses and it would be wrong to assume that stores are desperate to open to make more money.

‘In fact, the evidence shows that Sunday trading does not necessarily mean bigger profits – there is only so much money that people can spend.’