Independent shop owners in Hexham have been discussing the possibility of opening on a Sunday to improve business and attract more visitors to the town.

We asked a number of local traders and people for their thoughts on more stores trading on a Sunday, and many seemed to think it would be a good idea.

Sunday has traditionally been seen as a day of rest, and only a few shops around Hexham town centre are available to visit as a result, with people forced to instead do any shopping at major retailers who have the resources to be able to be open seven days a week.

However, some independent shop owners, such as Alison Smith at Matthias Winter, are finding that opening on a Sunday can be great for business, and perhaps for Hexham as a whole. 

She told the Hexham Courant: "It really was worth our opening in the summer holiday when tourists were around.  Hexham is definitely a tourist destination but there's no knowing how many are around outside the school holidays and how much revenue they will bring.  Also, it's easy for residents to be enthusiastic and say it would be brilliant if more shops were open on Sunday but that is no guarantee that they would actually go into Hexham to shop.  It's all very tricky!  It's a gamble and even more of a gamble if few businesses are willing to take the risk.

"I do think it would be good for Hexham overall as people who work full time may only have the weekends to go out for a day trip.  If they come to Hexham and nothing is open they won't be encouraged to come again.  It really is down to each individual business though to make the best decision for them.  I think it will probably be an incremental change over time. Discussing it like this will keep the idea alive and maybe make more businesses consider it as a serious option.  If businesses see others making Sunday opening work they may be more likely to consider trialling it themselves."

Naturally, shop owners may be unwilling to open on a Sunday due to the hassle of finding more staff or working it themselves, without the guarantee that it will pay off financially. 

But there is certainly evidence to suggest that people are more likely to visit on a Sunday rather than in midweek when many wouldn't have the time to justify a trip to the town centre to support local businesses. 

Councillor Smith said: "Sunday opening almost needs everyone to be willing to trial it to give it a real chance of success. We have said we will definitely open our shop on Sundays in December in the run-up to Christmas. It would be good if we could get more independents to do the same."

Mayor Derek Kennedy added: "A number of independent shops open on a Sunday in Hexham but I do understand the implications for small traders, having rest time, etc.   

"Large nationals open on a Sunday so the addition of local independent stores would help galvanise Hexham as a destination place on a Sunday. There is a large car boot sale at the The Mart on Sunday so visitors coming into the town on Sunday would help the local economy."

Hexham locals also shared their views on Facebook. 

Paul Stead wrote: "Sometimes a Sunday is the best for family due to working all week and Saturday mornings. Encourage a new business market is the marketplace with fresh ideas. Christmas is coming up so that's a good day for shopping for us as a family and others."

Terie Little said: "To me it makes sense for them to open on a Sunday when so many visitors are around and take the quieter days off. I mentioned that it would especially work well with a few signs down at the car boot fair saying Hexham's independent shops are open for business on Sundays as the boot fair attracts hundreds of visitors."

Jill Chatt-Ramsey added: "There are so many visitors wandering around Hexham on a Sunday - probably just waiting for somewhere to enjoy spending their money. I think many shops that are popular with visitors could maybe close on a quieter day instead?"