SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said that lowest-paid workers would lose out most from any such change.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster program, de Faoite said: “I think is deeply disappointing that Alliance and Sinn Féin decided to pursue this, against the pleas of trade unions.”
He said that the SDLP party would rather see the time being used to support small businesses and independent retailers.
He said: “To support our arts and culture sector too, tourists don’t come to Belfast to go to Asda or Sainsbury’s. They come because we have a rich arts and culture offering so having protected time to use to promote and support that sector is an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up or miss.”
Gavin Annon from Belfast Chamber of Commerce said the pilot would offer a choice – not a requirement – to open.
He said workers’ welfare is important but “so is flexibility and fairness”.
“Lets think of the national living wage and national insurance increases that have hit businesses locally.
“If there is a chance to turn Belfast into a seven-day trading destination and it’s valuable for the businesses to open and the workers want to work, it is a positive step,” he said.
