Nearly 60% of adults think all stores should be allowed to open for the same hours on Sundays, according to a new poll.

The survey also showed 40% of people agree with the recent claim by Asda boss Andy Clarke that the Sunday trading laws were indicative of “rip-off Britain” because they forced shoppers to visit more expensive stores when supermarkets were closed on Sundays.

Richard Dunn, chief strategy officer at WPP-owned CRM agency Wunderman, which polled more than 1,000 people on their views on the current laws, said: “Trading laws are more than 20 years old. The findings from this survey further demonstrate that they have not kept pace with today’s on-demand society.”

Mark Allatt, director of campaign group Open Sundays, said: “This survey tallies with our own findings that well over half of the country are in favour of bringing an end to these outdated laws.

“The need for change is also supported by other key trends in today’s society. The fact is that many young people would welcome a chance to work longer hours to earn extra money.”

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