Maintain Sunday closure urges Stornoway Community Council to Tesco
5 November 2024
Stornoway Community Council is urging Tesco to reverse its decision to open its supermarket in the town on Sundays, a move which has “divided our community.”
Never before have major retailers operated seven-day trading in Lewis but that long
standing tradition will be cast aside in under a fortnight, with Tesco already confirming
the first date of Sunday operations.
Discussion of the “controversial and troubling matter” took place at the community
council’s recent meeting, and correspondence been sent to the UK-wide grocer seeking
a rethink.
“Given the long-standing cultural significance of Sunday as a Day of Rest in the
minds of many residents, not all of whom are necessarily ardent churchgoers, Stornoway
Community Council must respectfully ask you whether, even at this late stage, you
can recognise the discord which your decision has brought to our town and our island,
and reconsider.”
The group hopes to persuade Tesco to keep the doors locked on 17th November.
“It is still not too late to change your mind and restore harmony to our
community,” they plead.
The letter goes on: “It is accepted that Tesco has already announced its decision to begin Sunday openings and that there does not seem to be any regulatory impediment to this.
“It is also recognised that Sunday opening is a subject on which many
local people often feel extremely strongly.
“Regrettably the language on both sides of the debate has occasionally been somewhat intemperate.
“Doubtless it was unintentional, but Tesco’s decision has clearly divided
our community.
“We also accept that, short of a local referendum being held, it would be
difficult to determine exactly where the balance of public opinion lies.”
