West Midlands shops to extend hours during Olympics

Supermarkets and high street stores across the West Midlands and Staffordshire are to extend Sunday opening hours to fit in around the Olympics.

Bosses say they want to give shoppers more flexibility so they can catch must-see events throughout the London Games.

It comes after the Government chose to relax Sunday trading laws to help boost trade during the Games, when it is estimated more than one million people will visit the UK.

Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley is among those extending trading hours. The centre will now be open between 10am and 6pm until September 9.

Kelly Reed, marketing manager, said: "Supermarkets, department stores and speciality stores will all be open for longer on Sundays so that customers can plan their shopping trips around all the must-see events during the Olympics period."

In Walsall, Marks and Spencer has announced it is increasing its hours to 9am to 6pm. Bosses at The Saddlers Centre are now speaking to other retailers. But not all are making the change.

The Sainsbury's stores in Reedswood, Walsall, and Sandringham Way, Brierley Hill, are keeping their original hours. A number of Asda stores are accommodating the Games.

Stafford Asda, normally open between 10am and 4pm, will now be open from 9am to 8pm, while the Great Bridge branch will see its times altered from 9.30am to 4pm to 9am to 5pm. Oldbury's Asda will get an extra hour in the morning.

Waitrose in The Ryemarket, Stourbridge, will be open from 9.30am until 5.30pm. In Wolverhampton, Tesco on Willenhall Road will be open from 6am to 11pm on Sunday.

By Richard Woodall