Off licence customers will now be able to buy alcohol on Sundays

New States legislation means off licence premises can now sell alcohol between 0700 GMT and midnight seven days a week.

Under the previous laws, alcohol could not be sold after 9pm Monday to Saturday, and not at all on Sundays.

Le Riches Stores head of marketing John Garton said the system had proved successful in Jersey, and Guernsey should not be any different.

He said that, if anything, it would remove the confusion for customers seeing shelves of goods they cannot purchase on a Sunday.

It is going to allow those people who have wanted to buy alcohol in the past to get it when the store is open John Garton, Le Riches Store head of marketing

"We are pleased we are going to be able to offer our full range to our customers on Sundays in future.

"It also does away with this anomaly during the week where we are not allowed to sell alcohol after nine o'clock in the evening.

"People will now be able to purchase alcohol up to midnight," said Mr Garton.

"It is going to allow those people who have wanted to buy alcohol in the past to get it when the store is open."

Staff frustrated

Mr Garton said it could be very difficult and frustrating for shop workers to continually have to explain to people why they could not buy alcohol on a Sunday.

"It is confusing to people at the moment that it's there on the shelves but they are not allowed to check out with it.

"It is also difficult for our staff as well to make sure the cut-off time is complied with.

"This will make life easier for staff and customers."