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World News

Christian villagers take on Tesco in 'David and Goliath' battle against Sunday trading

by Donna Birrell

Villagers in the Outer Hebrides are taking on Tesco over its plans to open its Stornoway branch seven days a week.

Over 1,300 people have signed a petition demanding the store on the Isle of Lewis remains closed on Sundays. Written by resident Alasdair MacLeod, it says the town “cherished memories of island Sundays as a guaranteed day of rest, relaxation and no work - a precious day of family time and worship" and warned that this is "at risk due to the concept of seven-day trading creeping into our culture". 

Locals are taking on the supermarket giant after a decision by the Western Isles Council to give Tesco permission to open the store seven days a week and allowing it to sell alcohol on each of the days. However, Tesco is obliged to consult its staff on the plans and while this is happening local people are taking on the challenge to keep Sundays sacred.

They argue that while Sunday shopping may seem like a convenience at first, the ripple effect leaves workers with less time to rest, less time for family and church worship and a lower quality of life.

Quoting from Matthew 11:28 “Jesus said 'Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest", the petition says people “are not just standing for a day off - we are standing for the glory of Christ, our Christian tradition, our community spirit, and our right to be different!”. 

People on Lewis are mainly Presbyterian, belonging to the Free Church or the Church of Scotland. The Catholic church and Scottish Episcopal Church are among other denominations making up the island’s Christian community.

The Sabbath is generally observed with most shops and licensed premises closed to the island’s 20,000 inhabitants.

Rev Kenneth Stewart of the Reformed Presbyterian Church told The Telegraph: “The Sabbath is His. And I, for one, intend to keep it that way.

“It’s a feature of life here, that even those who are not committed Christians or churchgoers still value the distinctive nature of the Lord’s Day.”

Tesco said no staff member would be forced to work on the Sabbath if the plans go ahead.

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