Leeds nostalgia: Traders ignore ban on Sunday trading... in February 1983

With a majority of 205 votes to 106, MPs rejected a Bill which would allow all shops to open for trade on Sundays.
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However, at the time, this did not go down well with retailers or the public. A lot of people were angry and confused at the rejection of the Bill. Opponents included the Yorkshire Post, who said: “It looks as though our MPs took just about everyone into consideration except, of course, the poor old shopper.”

It seems Leeds’ biggest hobby has always been shopping and locals weren’t happy about the Bill being rejected for the 16th time since 1956.

Tory MP and Director of Sainsburys said the Bill was “socially, morally and economically undesirable.” In any case, the very same week the Bill was passed, retailers ignored the ban.