Shop owners will be given discretion to determine the opening times and days of their shops, according to a document up for public consultation.
It proposes that all shops currently not allowed to open on Sunday can do so between 6am and 5pm provided they remain closed on another day chosen by shop owners.
Furthermore, shops are to have a fixed sign outside their window indicating the day they will be closed.
Economy Minister Chris Cardona yesterday said the shop opening hours reform was motivated by the fact that the current trading licence regulations caused a number of problems for shop owners and consumers alike.
Decision would depend on the frequency of customers visiting on particular days
Currently, the standard business hours are between 4am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and between 4am and 8pm on Saturdays.
A number of exemptions apply for shops in tourist localities and at the Valletta Waterfront, among other scenarios.
The document proposes that all shops be permitted to open on public holidays (except Good Friday) which do not fall on a Sunday (as opposed to the current procedure where the minister has to issue a notice each time).
The recommendations also include permitting all shops to remain open during Carnival and Easter Sunday.
Licensed catering establishments, nightclubs and discotheques where dancing is held and which do not already have a permit to remain open for business until 4am during Carnival, Easter Sunday and on New Year’s Eve will also be allowed to open.
All shops will be given the possibility of extending their business hours up to 10pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays without having to seek permission. Grocers and supermarkets will be allowed to open on Sundays in non-tourist localities from 6am to 1pm, just like other shops selling essential items (without having to close on another day).
The government is also proposing that the 350 square metre size restriction on grocers in tourist localities will be removed.
The exemptions enjoyed by Valletta will also be extended to Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Senglea and Kalkara when a ship is anchored on that side of Grand Harbour.
“We feel that no one can better decide on which day it would be most wise to keep a business open than the shop owners themselves, since this decision would depend on the demand and frequency of customers visiting that shop on particular days,” Dr Cardona said.
Times have changed and today’s society has moved on from that of 30 years ago where women remained at home while men went out to work and returned home to eat and sleep, he said.
“We will be allowing more flexibility in terms of shop opening hours while retaining some parameters in order to protect the rights of employees and ensure the system is not abused.
“The rights of employees are to be scrupulously observed and are non-negotiable.”
Any critique or suggestions should be submitted by October 24 at openinghours.meib@gov.mt.
The document may be viewed on www.meib.gov.mt.