Sainsburys Newry on a Sunday?

Bojill

Hi,

Did a shopping trip to Newry in July.
Went to sainsburys on the Sunday and was surprised that they were open at 10am, whereas Tesco was 1pm.
Planning another trip up soon but now their opening hours are 1pm to 6pm on Sunday.
From google it seems 1pm opening on Sundays is the earliest by law?
Question is, how was I in Sainsburys at 11am on a Sunday and shopping completed including alcohol at just after 12pm.
Google timeline confirmed date and time, sainsbury receipt also.
We went to Tesco after that and they opened their doors at 12.30 but tills didn't open until 1pm.

Jim_Hodge

In Northern Ireland large shops can only open on a Sunday between 1pm and 6pm. They are defined as retail businesses with a floor area of more than 280 square metres (3,014 square feet).

I've no idea how they were open in Newry at 11 in July. I've only known them to open at 1 on Sundays.

Bojill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122725686#Comment_122725686

I was beginning to doubt myself until I checked google timeline and then the receipt. July 21st.
This link also gives it at 10am on a Sunday. https://www.localmint.com/uk/sainsburys-superstore-newry-36768
Anyway they're closed it seems till 1pm on the Sunday, so a change of plans.

muloc

Was there early December last year for 10 on a Sunday.

Might have been special Xmas opening hours though.

Plus no hassle buying booze at that hour

JVince

Newry is considered a tourist hub and therefore the larger shops can open longer hours on Sundays for up to 18 Sundays a year.

Stormont Fudge is what locals called it 😍

Originally it was to be a "holiday resort" then changed to "tourist hub". Belfast also is a "tourist hub" as is almost every large town

Bojill

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122725897#Comment_122725897

Thanks, I wasn't dreaming then :-)

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122725897#Comment_122725897

That would make sense, with July being such a holiday period.