As I write, Government officials are sifting through the thousands of responses that they have received to their consultation on changing Sunday trading rules.

I’m confident they will find arguments against the proposals from retailers like you, shop workers, families and church groups, as well as some larger retailers who don’t support the Government’s plans.

We are calling on retailers from across the country to descend on parliament and make their voices heard about Sunday trading to their local MP

Despite the majority of people opposing longer Sunday trading hours, we fear the Government will press ahead.

In our submission to the Government’s consultation on Sunday trading changes, we outlined the devastating impact that the measure will have on local shops.

Oxford Economics estimates that removing Sunday trading rules will cost the convenience sector in excess of £870m a year, with job losses running close to 10,000.

The argument that this measure will benefit the economy is completely false. People don’t have more money to spend just because shops are open longer, but what will happen is trade will be diverted from small shops to larger stores.

We will keep putting forward the arguments about the damage that devolving Sunday trading hours will cause to local shops, but the most effective voice when talking to MPs is a voice from their own constituency.

At this year’s ACS Heart of the Community conference, we are calling on retailers from across the country to descend on parliament and make their voices heard about Sunday trading to their local MP. You’ll also get to hear from MPs, retailers, ACS and councillors about how to influence and build relationships locally.

ACS Heart of the Community is on October 13 in Westminster, London, so please come along and explain to your MP what the impact of this unnecessary and unpopular legislation will be for your business.

You can also keep up with the latest information on the campaign at keepsundayspecial.org.uk.