New surge of the debate for an opening of down town stores before Christmas

The issue of an opening of Angers down town stores on the Sundays of the end of year holidays is dividing the city retail shop owners and town hall. A few days ago, the Angers mayor made a move towards the stores owners adding a free hour of parking in several car parks of the city. While the conflict between store owners and town hall seemed to be eased, the professionnal organizations of retail trade of Angers demanded to get the right to work during those Sundays of December which are for many of them very important for their annual turnover.

The prohibition to open on Sundays was decided a few weeks ago by the mayors members of Angers Loire Métropole. That stance regarding that specific period looks unclear. More than a year ago, a similar question had opposed the mayors to an E. Leclerc superstore which had decided to open all Sunday mornings. At that time, the public authority got the end of that use, claiming that Sundays had to be dedicated to family life. That is also the opinion of local trade unions. But none of them explained why they were able to decide what was good or bad to do for famililes on Sundays.

The representatives of the retail trade point out that in other cities of the Maine-et-Loire, stores will have the right to open and that, in Angers, the wooden hut setp up at Ralliement square and Atoll would be authorized to work. "This is discriminatory", complains Zohra Gallard, president of one of those organizations while a member of the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie notices that "town hall spends money for more hustle and bustle in Angers and, at the same time, deny to store owner the right to open! ". For the president of Angers store owners, Fabien Rebours, "the city needs a living city center all year long". So the debate is not closed. Even on Sundays! (Credit pictures Angers city and Vitrines d'Angers)