New powers to devolve Sunday trading laws to local authorities will allow councils to ‘zone’ any relaxation so they will be able to prioritise high streets and city centres.

The measures in the Enterprise Bill also include freedoms for shop workers in England, Scotland and Wales to ‘opt-out’ of working Sundays if they choose to, for example, because they object on religious grounds or for family reasons.

Shop workers will now be able to give just one month’s notice to large shops that they no longer want to work Sundays, down from the previous three months, and will have a new right to opt-out of working additional hours.

The government will also strengthen the duty on employers to notify employees of their rights about working on Sundays.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘These new powers are about giving local areas the choice to extend Sunday trading hours to meet the needs of their local businesses and communities. It is local people who will make the decision.

‘The rights of shop workers are key to making these changes work in everyone’s interests. We are protecting those who do not wish to work Sundays, and those who do not want to work more than their normal Sunday working hours.’

The rise of online shopping has changed buying habits with online sales accounting for 12.8% of all retail spending in December 2014, up from just 2.4% in 2006.

The powers will be devolved to unitary and district councils in England, county and county borough councils in Wales, and also to the Mayor of London. It is the intention that the power will be devolved to the Mayor of Greater Manchester when elected.

Sunday trading rules are devolved to Scotland and Sunday opening is unrestricted in Scotland.

The Enterprise Bill will also create a small business commissioner to help small firms deal with issues such as late payment and bring regulators into scope of the £10bn cutting red tape target.

Another new measure added to the Bill will help establish an Institute for Apprenticeships – an independent, employer-led body that will regulate quality and make sure apprenticeships meet the needs of business.

The government is due to release feedback on the consultation on Devolving Sunday trading rules shortly.

More information about the Enterprise Bill measures can be found here