LONDON - Small retailers are spitting mad about an attempt by the government to end current Sunday trading rules ostensibly to reduce red tape, The Grocer reports. James Lowman, CEO of the Association of Convenience Stores, expressed his frustration that Sunday trading had been coupled with other examples of onerous rules on the U.K. government??s Red Tape Challenge website.

"There is no compelling case for making change to Sunday trading regulations," said Lowman. "It is not a red tape burden, it's a simple and understandable policy."

Lowman said that the current Sunday trading rule does not burden or cost retailers and should be left alone. "We are confident that this fact, and the significant opposition to changes reflected on the website already, will mean that the government will not need to tinker with a law that works well," he said.

Business secretary Vince Cable launched the Red Tape Challenge earlier this month. The website will collect comments until May 5, before the ministers will analyze feedback for three months. Thus far, more than 1,600 responses have been received relating to Sunday trading along.