Green Party councillor for Lisnasharragh, Brian Smyth said "I am delighted to see that the Alliance Party's dead horse flogging idea that our city centre will be saved by allowing large multi national stores to open longer on Sundays has been defeated at Belfast City Council today."
"Trade Unions and small businesses have already expressed their opposition to this and it is positive that Sinn Fein have moved back from initially supporting this deeply unimaginative idea."
"Smaller shops can open, but many choose not to because of the limited offering on Sunday mornings. The vision for Belfast should not be soulless shopping large multi nationals, instead it should be a distinct cultural offering that attracts families, visitors and tourists alike."
ENDS