No decision on Sunday trading

By Alan Markoff, alan@cfp.ky

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The Cabinet has not decided whether to allow Sunday trading.

Cabinet Minister Charles Clifford said last week, however, that the matter is still under discussion.

“We have had some informal discussions, but have made no decisions,” he said. “It is a matter for more Cabinet and caucus discussions.”

Most retail establishment can’t open on Sundays, although several small markets are open.

“There are some grey areas in the law, which we need to clean up,” Mr. Clifford said.

In addition to considering Sunday trading, Mr. Clifford said the Cabinet will consider changes to the Music and Dancing (Control) Law.

Mr. Clifford said he felt some of the provisions of the current law are totally unreasonable and needed to be looked at carefully by the Cabinet.

Giving one example, Mr. Clifford explained that many tourist group trips go from Sunday to Sunday and under the current law, a guitarist could not be employed to greet the incoming groups.

“Technically, that’s live music and not allowed,” he said.

In addition, Mr. Clifford said the Cabinet would consider amendments to the Liquor Licensing Law.

“Clearly, there are some policy contradictions that have occurred over the years with the Liquor Licensing Law,” he said, explaining that many of the amendments over the year have been made on a piecemeal or ad hoc basis.

“We’re committed to reviewing [the Law] and removing any contradictions that exist.”