Anyone who wants to do their shopping at the Albert Heijn in Sleeuwijk on Sunday will face a closed door. The judge decided on Wednesday afternoon that the supermarket must remain closed on the Day of the Lord. Customers react in mixed ways. “Sunday shopping is unnecessary.”
“Sometimes I feel like having Red Bull on Sundays, but now I can’t make it,” says a somewhat irritated girl at Albert Heijn Nieuwe Es in Sleeuwijk. The judge has decided that the supermarket will remain closed on the Day of the Lord. This means that Sunday rest in the municipality of Altena is maintained.
Chinese restaurant open on Sundays
The Chinese restaurant De Lange Muur on the Rijksstraatweg in Sleeuwijk, on the other hand, is open on Sundays. Catering establishments, meal deliverers and bicycle rental companies do not fall under the shopping hours ordinance of the municipality of Altena.
Shops may only be opened from Monday to Saturday from six in the morning to ten at night.
Biblical norms and values
Previously, the municipal council received a letter on behalf of 26 churches, ‘to protect the fourth commandment and a crazy 24-hour economy’. Kees van Eekelen of the Reformed Church of Werkendam explains: “With a possible Sunday opening, the day of rest in honor of God will be in jeopardy.”
The norms and values from the Bible are also important to councilor Theo Meijboom of SGP Altena. “The day of rest was given by our Creator, the Lord God. That is why we want to maintain that Sunday rest.”
‘Six days is more than enough!’
“Old-fashioned,” says Finn from Sleeuwijk. With a frikandel sandwich in his hand, he stands in front of the entrance of the supermarket together with Sjoerd and Reinoud from Woudrichem. “People have more to do on Sundays than just go to church. There are not only Christians here.”
“I love that nothing is necessary and nothing is possible on Sundays,” says religious Adrie from Almkerk, on the other hand. If it were up to her, all shops would be closed on Sundays. “Sundays are a nice day of rest. Why should Albert Heijn also be open on Sundays? You have plenty of days to do your shopping.”
Conny from Woudrichem agrees with this. “They should really keep it that way. It is unnecessary to get your groceries on Sundays. You can do your shopping at any time of the week, until nine o’clock in the evening. That is more than enough!”
‘Easy if you can get something nearby’
Diane from Rijswijk is on her way to the lunchroom with her mother Riet, just past the supermarket. Sometimes she finds it difficult that the Albert Heijn is closed on Sundays, because she has to go to Heusden, Waalwijk, Raamsdonksveer or Gorinchem. “It would be easier if you could still get something nearby. In today’s times, it should be a bit more flexible.”
Her 74-year-old mother Riet disagrees. “From a Christian perspective, I believe that they should be closed on Sunday and it should be a day of rest.”
Marja from Nieuwendijk has no religious problem with Albert Heijn opening on Sundays. “I’d love to, even!” Unfortunately for her, the judge has decided that the supermarket will remain closed on Sundays.
Europa Have BV does not want to respond to questions from Omroep Brabant, which is responsible for the daily management of the Albert Heijn branch in Sleeuwijk. “We do not wish to comment on this.”