Gordon has congratulated and thanked staff at Tesco Extra in Clifton for the important role they played in defeating the Government and George Osborne’s plans to extend Sunday Trading hours.



He met with Flo Glennon, Yvonne Matheson, Martin Baker and James Fowler, who are also members of Usdaw and collected 94 signatures as part of a wider national petition to “Keep Sunday Special”.

The Government were defeated after Gordon and other MPs from both sides of the House rejected plans to allow councils to extend opening hours by 317 votes to 286.

Gordon, also a Shadow Business Minister, said: “I have always championed the needs of local shops and businesses in Blackpool but also keeping the work-life balance reasonable for shop workers and their families. I know how important this is for hundreds of shop workers across the town for them and their families. That’s why I wanted to meet with and thank Flo, Yvonne, Martin and James for their efforts and the important part they played in the successful “Keep Sunday Special” Campaign.”

Gordon explained the current laws on Sunday Trading had worked well for over 20 years and said the Government’s plans would have done “nothing” to boost the local economy and even the potential to hurt smaller businesses.

He then spoke with the management at Tesco where they discussed the challenges facing supermarkets, before then going onto talk about what Tesco were doing in the community such as linking up with local schools and charities.

Gordon added: “I was pleased to hear about the some of the excellent work and projects that the staff at Tesco Extra are getting involved with in the community. I think the idea of donating all the money to local charities raised from the proceeds of the “5p” levy, which the Government has imposed on supplying plastic bags has the potential to make a big difference.

“I also welcome their commitment to clamping down on food wastage, with charities by the end of next year being able to collect any edible food that has been left over.”