It has been widely reported that shops will be allowed to trade for 24 hours a day in December and January in a large relaxation of the current rules. Secretary of State of Housing Communities and Local Government Robert Jerick has said that he wanted councils to waive rules that restrict opening hours. He told The Telegraph that he wanted "to sweep away bureaucracy to help shops after months of restrictions and increasing competition from online sales."

He went on to explain: "How long will be a matter of choice for the shopkeepers and at the discretion of the council, but I suggest we offer these hard-pressed entrepreneurs and businesses the greatest possible flexibility this festive season. Therefore as local government secretary, I am relaxing planning restrictions and issuing an unambiguous request to councils to allow businesses to welcome us into their glowing stores late into the evening and beyond if wished. And those stores and supermarkets will be able to replenish their shelves whenever they wish, with flexible deliveries to keep the streets free for the rest of us when we are out and about."