AN ISLAND community is protesting the decision for Tesco to open on Sundays, with calls to stage a silent demonstration outside the building next week.
Last month Tesco bosses made the controversial announcement that their Stornoway store in Lewis would open on a Sunday for the first time on November 17 since it opened its doors in 2008.
However, the supermarket giant was not only condemned for disrupting the Isle of Lewis’s traditional Sabbatarian culture but also for not attending a meeting with the local community on Friday evening.
An empty chair was set aside at Stornoway Town Hall for a Tesco representative at a meeting arranged by the Lord’s Day Observance Society to discuss the decision, the Press and Journal reported.
At the meeting, the supermarket firm was accused of not respecting the island’s traditions and for choosing “corporate greed” over people’s religious beliefs.
Rev Kenneth Stewart, of the town’s Reformed Presbyterian Church, reportedly said Tesco had shown no concern or sensitivity to islanders.
The day of rest in a working week “is essential to community welfare and community health,” he said according to the P&J.
“24/7 is not all it’s cracked up to be,” he added.
He also made the point that the Isle of Lewis was more in keeping with large parts of mainland Europe in not having large shops open on a Sunday.
Another speaker at the meeting reportedly suggested that people mount a peaceful silent protest outside the store next Sunday without restricting access.
Stornoway North Councillor, Gordon Murray, said “many atheists” had also contacted him urging that Tesco should remain closed on Sundays.
He said the island isn’t in the “Dark Ages” but in fact “ahead of the curve” by not having major shops open on a Sunday.
“Tesco please respect us and keep closed on a Sunday,” said Murray.
“This is basically about greed – and corporate greed.”
Former Western Isles Councillor Charlie Nicolson also protested Tesco’s decision saying the firm are “dividing the island”.
“It’s not about religion, it’s about keeping our culture and traditions,” he said.
“This is a special island. They (Tesco) have just steamrollered us. I love my day of rest.
“By doing this Tesco are dividing our island.
“They are dividing it for the sake of profit. They do not care for our culture.”
Tesco said the move to open on a Sunday would create “at least 30 new jobs” as well as lower food waste and increase flexibility for shoppers.
A spokesperson for the firm previously said no member of staff would be forced to work on a Sunday unless they wanted to.
However, one councillor told The National that the community is “resigned” to the move and said, “it's not like we've got a lot of choice” when it comes to jobs and shifts.
Tesco is expected to open on Sunday, November 17 despite more than a thousand people signing an online petition against the proposed change.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are confident that the decision to open our Stornoway Superstore on Sundays will allow us to balance the demand for seven-day opening while remaining respectful to local traditions and culture.
“Over recent weeks we have received a significant amount of positive feedback to our new opening proposals, particularly from colleagues.
“This change will improve the shopping experience for local customers by offering them flexibility and reducing busy periods during the week.”
