Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht allows Sunday shopping for the first time, but most shops stay shut

Shops in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht were allowed to open on a Sunday for the first time this weekend, between 10:00 and 18:00. Only a few of the roughly 50 shops in the De Schoof shopping centre did so, and large crowds did not materialise. The municipal council decided last Thursday to introduce Sunday shopping.

The village has more than 33,000 inhabitants and ten active churches. For many Christian residents Sunday is a holy day of rest, and shop opening hours played a major role in the last municipal elections.

The council voted 14 to 9 in favour. Only SGP/CU and the CDA voted against.

Supermarket chain Lidl stayed closed. A spokesperson said this was mainly because of the short preparation time after the council decision. "We intend to open on Sundays on a permanent basis from Sunday 18 October," the spokesperson said.

A Jumbo owner who opened straight away

Marcel van Daalhuizen, owner of the Jumbo in De Schoof, did not hesitate to open. He said staff are paid 150 per cent on Sundays and can set their own availability, so there was no staff shortage.

Four years ago he sat down with the then SGP alderman (wethouder), André Flach, to protect Sunday rest when supermarkets elsewhere in the region opened. Van Daalhuizen said they agreed to back the policy for four years without knowing where they would stand afterwards. He said shopping habits have changed: Sunday is now one of the best shopping days nationally, and more than 50 per cent of Sunday customers in Zwijndrecht come from Ambacht.

I would like Sunday rest, but then across the whole of the Netherlands. A situation has now been created in which you have to join in, or you go under.Marcel van Daalhuizen, Jumbo owner in De Schoof

Opinions in the village are divided. One shopkeeper said he no longer has to go to Zwijndrecht for his goods. Another person said they would keep shopping in Zwijndrecht or Dordrecht, or do it on a weekday.