More than 175,000 people sign petition calling on shops to stay shut on Boxing Day

A petition calling on retailers to remain closed on Boxing Day has been backed by more than 175,000 people.
More than 175,000 people have signed a petition to stop retailers from opening on Boxing Day. Photo: PresseyeMore than 175,000 people have signed a petition to stop retailers from opening on Boxing Day. Photo: Presseye
More than 175,000 people have signed a petition to stop retailers from opening on Boxing Day. Photo: Presseye

The petition was set-up last month by a baker from Kettering called Ian Lapworth.

People from Derry and around the North are amongst those who have signed the petition.

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Mr. Lapworth set-up the petition on Change.org and said as far as he was concerned “supermarkets do not need to open” on Boxing Day.

“Shops, especially supermarkets, do not need to open on Boxing Day,” he said. “Whilst not everyone may see Christmas as a religious holiday, it should be respected as such, and retail workers (who work so hard on the run up to the big day) [should be] given some decent family time to relax and enjoy the festivities like everyone else.

“Most retail workers are on the go up to Christmas Eve, then back on Boxing Day. Sometimes they have no choice. We managed 30 and 40 years ago...when shops were sometimes shut for a whole week. Let’s get back to the way it was. Forget making money for one day, let’s concentrate on making more memories with the ones we love.”

If you would like to add your support, visit the Boxing Day Petition Change.org page.