The Supreme Court: setting up a ‘book club’ in a shop does not entitle its owner to run the shop on Sundays
According to the law, restrictions on trading on Sundays and public holidays do not apply to retail outlets in establishments engaged in cultural, sporting, educational, tourism and leisure activities. Some traders are attempting to take advantage of this exception by setting up ‘book clubs' in their shops, which is intended to allow them to operate seven days a week.
However, the Supreme Court disagreed with this interpretation of the legislation and stated in a ruling in July 2024 that setting aside a small space with books to borrow or read does not turn a shop into an establishment engaged in cultural activities. Indeed, it is crucial for the benefit of the statutory exception that it is the shop that should be subordinate to the establishment and be located on its premises - and not the other way around.