## Step 2 - Reading

Shopping in the UK

You are going to read a text about shopping in the UK.
Je gaat een tekst lezen over winkelen in het Verenigd Koninkrijk.

- Read the text.
  Lees de tekst.
- While reading, think about the following question:
  Denk tijdens het lezen na over de volgende vraag:
  - Is er veel verschil tussen de winkels in Groot-Brittannië en in Nederland?
  - Zorg dat je je antwoord kunt uitleggen.

A nation of shoppers Britain is sometimes called 'a nation of shopkeepers', but it is also a nation of shoppers. We love shopping! It is our number one leisure activity, and around 37% of all money spent in England is spent in shops. The main shopping street in many towns is called the High Street, so that’s where you should go if you want to go shopping. There are lots of franchises of course, but a few small shops are owned by local people. Some towns also have street markets, where you can buy fresh food and cheap goods. Away from the town centre, there are often small 'corner' shops where local customers can get their groceries. When can I go shopping? Peak shopping days are Saturdays and Sundays, so if you don’t like the hustle and bustle and want to shop in peace, you’re better off going another day. Shops are generally open on public holidays, or Bank Holidays as they are called in the UK. Bank Holidays are a great time to shop as there are many sales on, especially around Easter and Christmas. What are the opening times? Opening times vary, depending on the type of shop and the town you are visiting, but typically they are: Mondays – Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Some shopping centres stay open until 8 p.m. or later. But in some smaller villages, shops may be closed on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. onwards. Sundays: 10 a.m. to 4pm (or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Sunday shopping has become popular in recent years and most large shops in towns are open for business. Shops are only allowed to trade for 6 hours on Sundays. Large supermarkets are open for 24 hours, except on Sundays. Many other supermarkets and superstores are open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Sunday. Over the Christmas and New Year period, all shops are closed on Christmas Day (December 25) and some shops are closed on New Year's Day (January 1). However, an increasing number of shops are now opening on Boxing Day (December 26), which is when many start their New Year sales. Shopping centres will be closed on Easter Sunday and there will be reduced shopping hours on Easter Monday (often from either 10 or 11 a.m.).

Do the exercise.
Maak de oefening.