The extension of Sunday opening hours in the capital applies from 2 April to at least 1 November 2017 Maison Moderne archives

The extension of Sunday opening hours in the capital applies from 2 April to at least 1 November 2017 Maison Moderne archives

The opening hours extension was agreed between the capital’s shopkeeper union and the economy ministry and applies to shops in the upper town and Gare district.

It applies from 2 April to at least 1 November. During the trial period, the impact will be reviewed by the union, ministry and tourist office to find a critical mass of shops which will remain open until 7pm each Sunday.

“This extension of opening hours on Sunday should not be seen as a miracle solution. But, clearly it is an important aspect on which to capitalise, above all during a period where traffic in the capital is complicated during the week because of roadworks,” economy secretary of state Francine Closener told Delano’s colleagues at Paperjam.

According to figures shared by the secretary of state, out of a total 850 shops, only 11 in the upper town and nine in the Gare district opened on Sundays under a trial extension that ran from spring 2015 to 1 January 2017.

A large-scale study by Liser, a research institute, analysing the social and economic impact of a change in shop opening hours will be carried out in the coming months and could be released in the summer.

“We could not envisage a change in the law without considering the results of this study,” Closener said.

Reported by Jean-Michel Gaudron; edited by Jess Bauldry