Caen businesses will be able to open 8 Sundays in 2025, but the measure still divides

See my news
Follow Liberté Caen

During the municipal council meeting on Monday December 16, 2024, the elected officials of Caen (Calvados) renewed the exemptions from Sunday rest for 2025.

Next year, retail and food businesses will be allowed to open Sundays January 12, June 29, July 6, November 30, December 7, December 14, December 21 and December 28. That is, eight days out of the twelve allowed by the law of August 6, 2015. No wonder, it is now a habit throughout France.

“We will never agree”

The deliberation, however, caused debate. It was not a surprise either, because by the admission of the mayor of Caen, Aristide Olivier, it is a subject on which the majority and the opposition “will never agree”…

Alexandra Beldjoudi did not disappoint. The environmentalist municipal councilor recalled that before the 2015 law “for growth, activity and equal economic opportunities”, Sunday rest was guaranteed by the 1906 law which purely and simply prohibited the principle of opening on Sunday.

Your support for this excessive consumption finds no environmental, social or economic argument.

She clarifies her point: “Many employees are not able to refuse to work on Sunday […] And no survey has shown that this measure has an effect on growth. »

“Let the traders work”

The opposition member concluded her speech with a proposal:

Let's give back the streets to our children 52 Sundays a year. Let's make each of these days a time of conviviality, meeting and common activities accessible to all.

In response, Camille Brou-Vernet, the assistant for commerce and crafts, recalled that the measure is popularand that the choice of these exceptional openings was made “in consultation with all traders, employees and trade union organizations”. Another elected official from the majority also mentioned “competition from tourist towns” like Deauville to justify the measure. “Let the traders work, whether they are small or big, let them work. »

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.