It is not yet time to rule out Sunday shopping, according to Finance Minister Paula Cox.

And, with a review of the current policy complete, Ms Cox said discussions with stakeholders will begin shortly ? and that she believed retailers, locals and tourists will ?soon? benefit from any relaxation in the current policy.

Yesterday ran a story claiming that retailers were ?extremely disappointed? to hear that Government had ruled out attempts to open stores on Sundays.

However, Ms Cox said yesterday, ?When applications have been submitted, they have generally received a favourable response. Specifically and most recently, I approved a license for Sunday, April 25, 2004.

?It is inaccurate to say that Government has rejected the Chamber?s call for Sunday shopping.?

Ms Cox also said that, when she gave the Budget presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on February 23 this year, she closed by giving a commitment to have dialogues with retailers on the issue of Public Holidays and Sunday shopping. ?Since that time, I have reviewed the existing policy and its underlying philosophy,? she said. ?Part of this process has been to revisit a number of previous requests from retailers wishing to open up on public holidays.?

She also said she had reflected on the fact that, for the past two years, retailers have been granted relief and were allowed to open on the two Sundays before Christmas. ?This relaxation of the policy has been very successful and supported by all.?

Now the review has been completed, Ms Cox said she will soon begin discussions with other stakeholders. Those discussions, according to a Department Press release, will examine the retailers? wish to have the existing policy relaxed while preserving the delicate balance between store owners, employees, shoppers ? both local and tourists ? and the community generally.

And how or when will the existing Holiday Trading Policy be modified? Ms Cox said it would be premature for her to indicate a timeframe. However, she added, she believed the work will be completed to allow retailers, locals and tourists to ?soon? benefit from any relaxation in the current policy.