Cllr Philip Atkins. Pic: M Holland

The leader of Staffordshire County Council has joined calls for Sunday trading hours to be agreed locally.

MPs and council leaders have urged the Government to devolve powers, meaning Lichfield and Burntwood shops could make a case for longer opening hours.

Cllr Philip Atkins was among those backing the call for an update in the law, which has not been updated since 1994.

Cllr Philip Atkins. Pic: M Holland
Cllr Philip Atkins. Pic: M Holland

“We are encouraged that the Government is increasing devolution in a range of areas and Sunday trading laws are another example of an issue which should be handled locally,” he said.

“Shops trading in our towns benefit the communities closest to them, both in terms of the services they provide and by employing local people.”

A letter signed by MPs and council leaders highlighted how relaxation in trading laws elsewhere in Europe had resulted in a “seven to nine per cent increase in employment.”

Cllr Atkins added: “We feel that decisions on how long shops can open should be made here in Staffordshire.

“Changes in trading law can boost local economies and job creation which are priorities to the county council and our borough and district colleagues.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.