L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
SHOPS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT
CHAPTER 91:04
Act
33 of 1958
Amended by
3 of 1977 10 of 1982 18 of 1997 32
15
of
of
1997
2009







1 – 40 ... 1/2012
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order 27
(O. 27/1959, 65/1959, 22/1960, 6/1967, 34/1951, 18/1955, 62/1962,
67/1959, 68/1959, 31/1959, 92/1959, 31/1959, 92/1959, 21/1946,
33/1944, 21/1960, 24/1951, 61/1962, 20/1960, 3/1954, 66/1959,
24/1960, 39/1961, 36/1973, 74/1974, 30/1975, 102/1976, 16/1977,
98/1977, 107/1977, 21/1978, 132/1978, 25/1980, 65/1980, 88/1980,
24/1981, 58/1984, 59/1984, 30/1985, 20/1993)




Note
on
Repeal
This Act repealed the Shops Ordinance Cap. 118 of the 1953 Edition.

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CHAPTER 91:04
SHOPS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Restriction of opening and closing hours of shops.
4. Weekly half-holiday.
5. Provision as respects shops where more than one business is carried
on.
6. Restriction of hours of employment of shop assistants
7. Restriction on employment in more than one shop.
8. Overtime.
9. Meal intervals.
10. Seats for shop assistants.
11. Other provisions applicable to restaurants, parlours, cookshops,
barbers’ and hairdressers’ establishments.
12. Special provisions applicable to drug stores.
13. Provisions as to sanitary and other arrangements.
14. Apportionment of expenses.
15. Enforcement.
16. Prohibition of sale of certain goods at certain times.
17. Exemptions.
18. [Repealed]
19. Penalty and procedure where persons found in shops during closed
hours.
20. Liability of proprietor for breach of Act by members of his family.
21. Proceedings in case of breach of provisions of Act.
22. Onus of proof in certain cases.
23. Penalties.
24. Prosecutions and recovery of fines.
25. Saving.
FIRST SCHEDULE—Days and hours between which certain shops may
open.
SECOND SCHEDULE—Employment of shop assistants beyond the time.
THIRD SCHEDULE— Articles sold in certain shops.
FOURTH SCHEDULE—Form of notice.

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CHAPTER 91:04
SHOPS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT
33 of 1958 An Act to consolidate and amend the law to regulate the
opening and closing hours of certain shops and the
hours of work of shop assistants; to provide for the
welfare of shop assistants; and to provide for other
matters connected therewith.
[6TH DECEMBER, 1958]
Short title.

Interpretation.
[10 of 1982
18 of 1997
15 of 2009]
c. 16:01
Third
Schedule.
1. This Act may be cited as the Shops (Consolidation)
Act.
2. In this Act—
“division” means a police division within the meaning of the
Police Act;
“member of the occupier’s family” means the occupier’s child,
father, mother, brother, sister, wife or husband (as the
case may be) and includes any person who is maintained
by, and resides with, the occupier;
“occupier” means the holder of a licence in respect of a trade
licence shop and includes the attorney, agent or manager
of the holder and, in the case of a shop for which no
licence has been taken out, the person found occupying
or in charge of the shop;
“parlour”, “cookshop”, or “restaurant” means a shop in
which are sold or exposed for sale only the articles of
merchandise enumerated in the Third Schedule;
“rural area” means any part of Guyana other than an urban
area;

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c. 99:03
c. 28:01

Restriction of
opening and
closing hours
of shops.
First Schedule.
[18 of 1997]
“shop” means any place or licensed premises as defined in
section 2 of the Licensed Premises Act where any
wholesale or retail trade or any business of any
description is carried on or transacted and in respect of
which a trade licence is required to be taken out under
the provisions of any T ax Act for the time being in force,
and includes a stall in any market in respect of which a
trade licence would have been required to be taken out
under the provisions of any Tax Act for the time being in
force had the stall not been situated in the market,
barbers’ and hairdressers’ establishments, restaurants,
parlours and cookshops, but does not include—
(a) any premises other than restaurants and
parlours licensed for the sale and consumption
on the premises of liquor; or
(b) any bazaar in aid of any charitable, religious or
public purpose;
“shop assistant” means any person wholly or mainly
employed in or about a shop or about the business of a
shop in connection with the service of customers or the
receipt of orders or money or the receipt or despatch or
delivery of goods but does not include any worker as
defined in section 2 of the Labour (Conditions of
Employment of Certain Workers) Act;
“urban area” means the City of Georgetown and the town of
New Amsterdam referred to in sections 3 and 25,
respectively, of the Municipal and District Councils Act,
and every town established under section 33 of that Act.
3. (1) Subject to the provisions of sections 8 and 17, no
person shall open or keep open or permit to be kept open any
shop for any purpose whatsoever except on the days and
between the hours respectively set out in the First Schedule:

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Provided that—
(a) where in any area it appears either
necessary or convenient for the
service of the public that all shops in
such area, or any specified shop or
class of shops in such area should be
permitted to open during hours other
than those prescribed in the First
Schedule, the Minister may by order
prescribe other hours during which
such shops or class of shops may be
open, or he may, in the case of a rural
area, by order exempt all shops or any
specified shop or class of shops in
such area from the operation of this
section; and where any such order of
exemption is made, no shop assistant
shall, subject to sections 6 and 8, be
employed in any shop to which the
order relates for more than forty and
three-quarter hours in any one week;
(b) where in any area it appears either
necessary or convenient—
(i) for the supplying of materials
intended to be used for the
repair or maintenance of ships;
or
(ii) for the supplying of apparatus,
fittings and material intended
to be used for the repair or
maintenance of any plant,
machinery, apparatus, line or
post which is used in relation to
the generation, distribution or
supply of electric current for
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c. 56:01
c. 56:02

c. 54:01

First Schedule.
any public or private purpose
under the authority of the
Electricity Act or of any order
made by the President under
section 5 of the Electric
Lighting Act; or
(iii) for the supplying of apparatus,
fittings and material intended
to be used for the repair or
maintenance of any plant,
machinery, apparatus or other
thing, or for supplying of
medicine or medical
equipment, which is used in
relation to the provision of any
of those services tendered by
whomsoever to the public
which are particularised in the
Schedule to the Public Utility
Undertakings and Public
Health Services Arbitration Act,
that any specified shop or class of shops in such area should
be permitted to be kept open before the opening hours or
after the closing hours prescribed in the First Schedule, the
Minister may, by order, prescribe that for the purposes
specified in paragraph (i) (ii) or (iii) of this proviso the shop or
class of shops specified in the order may be kept open after
the closing hours specified in the First Schedule and may be
opened at any time between the hours of closing and opening
specified in the said Schedule, and where such an order is
made shop assistants may be employed, for the purposes
specified in the order at any time such shop or class of shops
may be opened.
(2) Any order under this section shall have the
same force and effect as if it were contained in this Act.

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Second
Schedule.

Weekly
holiday and
half holiday.
First Schedule.
c. 8:02
[18 of 1997]
Provision as
respects shops
where more
than one
business is
carried on.
(3) It shall be a defence to any proceedings, in
relation to any shop for contravention or failure to comply
with the provisions of subsection (1), to prove that such shop
was opened, or kept or permitted to be open, as the case may
be, for the purposes provided in the Second Schedule or in
accordance with section 8.

4. (1) The occupier of a shop shall grant to every shop
assistant a holiday of a continuous period of twenty-four
hours on one day in every week and, in addition, shall grant
to such shop assistant a half-holiday of a continuous period
of twelve hours on another day in every week.
(2) Both holiday and half-holiday may be taken
together as one continuous period of thirty-six hours if the
occupier of the shop and the shop assistant so agree.
(3) The holiday and half-holiday shall be
determined by the occupier after consultation with the shop
assistant and such determination shall take into consideration
the shop assistant’s day of worship:
Provided that any recognised union representing
such shop assistant shall be notified of any such
determination concerning the day of worship.
5. (1) Where different trades or businesses, in respect
of which different hours for opening and closing apply, are
carried on in the same premises, such premises shall be
opened at the latest hour and closed at the earliest hour
applicable to any of those trades or businesses unless it is
shown to the satisfaction of the chief officer of police in the
division and he gives a certificate to the occupier to the effect
that he is satisfied that means are provided for the adequate
partition or division of the premises into separate and distinct
shops so as to ensure that the appropriate opening and
closing hours of each trade or business can be effectively
observed.
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Restriction of
hours of
employment of
shop assistants.
[18 of 1997]
Second
Schedule.
Restriction on
employment in
more than one
shop.
[18 of 1997]
(2) If, at any time after a certificate has been given
under the preceding subsection, the chief officer of police of
the division considers that the premises or any part thereof
have undergone such a change or that the means originally or
then provided have proved or have become so insufficient
that adequate partition or division of the premises into
separate and distinct shops for the purpose aforesaid cannot
be effected, he may cancel the certificate.
(3) A certificate given under subsection (1) shall
not be cancelled unless the chief officer of police aforesaid
notifies the occupier of his intention to cancel his certificate
and gives him a reasonable time within which to effect such
alterations or repairs to the premises as the chief officer may
consider adequate.
6. Subject to sections 8 and 12, no occupier shall
employ a shop assistant in or about a shop or about the
business of a shop or permit him—
(a) to remain within a shop whether in
connection with the business of the shop or
not at any time during which such shop is
prohibited from being kept open; or
(b) to be connected in any way with the
business of the shop during the prohibited
hours,
except for the purposes and during the periods of time set out
in the Second Schedule.
7. (1) An occupier of a shop shall not knowingly
employ or continue to employ any person as a shop assistant
if that person is already employed as a shop assistant in any
other shop wherever situate so that the aggregate number of
working hours of that person in such shops exceeds the hours
of employment authorised under section 11(d);
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Act No.

Overtime.
[18 of 1997
15 of 2009]
First Schedule.
Meal intervals.
[18 of 1997]
(2) An occupier of more shops than one shall not
employ the same shop assistant in more than one of such
shops so as to prevent the shop assistant from having a
weekly holiday and half-holiday on the days such holiday are
agreed upon under section 4.
8. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act
to the contrary, and subject to section 6, an occupier of a shop
shall be permitted to employ a shop assistant in excess of the
hours prescribed in the First Schedule, but so that no shop
assistant shall be so employed for more than two hours in any
one day or twenty hours in any one month in excess of the
hours prescribed.
(2) [Repealed by Act No. 18 of 1997]
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an occupier of a
shop shall pay to a shop assistant wages at the rate
prescribed by subsection (4) in respect of any time worked
during any of the periods, mentioned in the First Schedule
in excess of seven and one-quarter hours per day.
(4) The rate of wage payable to a shop assistant in
respect of any period of time in excess of the normal hours
shall be one and a half times the rate of wage received by the
shop assistant.
(5) The occupier of a shop shall keep a register of
wages which shall be in a form approved in writing by the
Chief Labour Officer and in which shall be recorded the
number of hours worked by each shop assistant and the
wages paid to each shop assistant, and such other particulars
as the Chief Labour Officer may from time to time
prescribe.
9. The occupier of a shop shall on each working day
other than on the half-holiday agreed upon under section 4,
allow to each shop assistant who has worked for four
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Seats for shop
assistants
Fourth
Schedule
Other
provisions
applicable to
shops
[18 of 1997]
consecutive hours since the commencement of his shift, an
interval from work of at least one and one-quarter hours for
lunch or dinner as the case may be and, during any extension
of the daily normal hours of work of a shop assistant
authorised under this Act, an additional quarter of an hour
during such extended hours.
10. (1) The occupier of a shop shall provide for the
sole use of shop assistants seating accommodation behind the
counter, or, where no counter exists, in such other positions as
may be suitable, and such seats shall be in the proportion of
not less than one seat to every three shop assistants employed
in each room:
Provided that there shall be at least one seat in each such
room.
(2) It shall be the duty of the occupier to inform
such shop assistants that seats are provided for their sole use
by posting in a conspicuous position in the shop a notice in
the form set out in the Fourth Schedule.
11. The occupier of a shop—
(a) shall cause to be permanently affixed on the
outer wall of the shop in a conspicuous
position so as to be visible whether the shop
is opened or closed a notice showing clearly
the opening and closing hours of the shop
on the several business days;
(b) shall cause to be kept in the shop a list
signed by him showing the names and
addresses and hours of employment of
every shop assistant, and such list shall be
opened to the inspection of every such shop
assistant;

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Special
provisions
applicable to
drug stores.
First Schedule.
Second
Schedule.

Provisions as to
sanitary and
other
arrangements.
[15 of 2009]
(c) shall, at the request of any officer of the
Department of Labour, produce such list
and afford him every facility for verifying
the correctness of the particulars therein
set out; and
(d) subject to section 8, shall not permit a shop
assistant to work in the shop for an
aggregate period exceeding seven and one-
quarter hours on any day or forty and three
quarter hours in any week.
12. The First Schedule and the Second Schedule shall
apply to drug stores:
Provided that—
(a) for the purposes only of dispensing
prescriptions or selling drugs, medicines or
medical appliances for the use of any sick
person or animal the hours of opening of
drug stores shall be unlimited but in any
such case no shop assistant shall be
employed therein for an aggregate period
exceeding seven and one-quarter hours in
any day or forty and three- quarter hours in
any week; and
(b) the occupier of a drug store shall keep a
register in a form approved by the Chief
Labour Officer showing the hours of work
of each shop assistant and such other
information as the Chief Labour Officer may
from time to time prescribe.
13. (1) In every part of a shop in which shop assistants
are employed—
(a) suitable and sufficient means of
[18 of 1997]
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[18 of 1997]
ventilation shall be provided and
maintained; and
(b) suitable and sufficient means of
lighting shall be provided and every
such part of a shop shall be kept
suitably and sufficiently lighted.
(2) In every shop there shall be provided and
maintained at suitable points conveniently accessible to all
shop assistants an adequate supply of wholesome potable
water and the vessels containing the water shall be clearly
marked with the words “Drinking Water”.
(3) Where shop assistants take any meals in the
shop, there shall be provided and maintained suitable and
sufficient facilities for the taking of those meals.
(4) In every shop there shall be provided and
maintained for the use of the shop assistants suitable and
sufficient accommodation for clothing not worn during
working hours, with separate accommodation where male
and female shop assistants are employed.
(5) In every shop, not being a shop exempted from
the provisions of this subsection, there shall be provided and
maintained for the use of the shop assistants suitable and
sufficient sanitary conveniences and suitable and sufficient
washing facilities.
(6) A shop shall be exempted from the provisions
of subsection (5) if there is in force a certificate granted by the
appropriate authority exempting that shop therefrom, and
any such certificate shall remain in force until it is withdrawn
by the authority, but no such certificate shall be granted with
respect to any shop unless the authority is satisfied that by
reason of restricted accommodation or other special
circumstances affecting the shop it is reasonable that such a
certificate should be in force with respect thereto, and that
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18 of 1997
suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences or washing
facilities, as the case may be, are otherwise conveniently
available, and, subject as hereinafter provided, a certificate in
force with respect to any shop shall be withdrawn if the
authority at any time ceases to be so satisfied as aforesaid:
Provided that, if the occupier of a shop is aggrieved by
the withdrawal of such a certificate, he may appeal to the
magistrate’s court for the district in which the shop is situated
and that court may make such order concerning the certificate
as appears to the court, having regard to the matters
aforesaid, to be just and equitable.
(7) If it appears to the appropriate authority that
there has been, in the case of any shop, a contravention of any
of the provisions of this section, the authority shall, by notice
served on the occupier of the shop, require him to take,
within such time as may be limited by the notice such action
as may be specified in the notice for the purpose of securing
compliance with the said provision, and, if any person served
with such a notice fails to comply with the requirements
thereof, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of
seven thousand, five hundred dollars, or in the case of a
second or subsequent conviction in respect of the same
requirement, to a fine of twelve thousand, five hundred
dollars or seven hundred and fifty dollars for every day since
the first conviction in respect of that requirement, whichever
is the greater:
Provided that it shall be a defence to any proceedings
under this subsection to prove that there was no
contravention of this section or that the requirements of any
such notice as aforesaid were, within a reasonable time after
service of the notice, complied with in so far as they were
necessary to secure compliance with this section.
(8) In this section—
“suitable and sufficient” means suitable and sufficient in the
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Apportionment
of expenses.

Enforcement.
[18 of 1997]
opinion of the appropriate authority, having regard to
the circumstances and conditions affecting a shop or any
part of a shop; and
“appropriate authority” means the authority whose duty it is
to enforce this section.
14. If any occupier of a shop who has incurred or is
about to incur any expense for the purpose of securing that
the requirements of the last foregoing section are complied
with respect to the shop, alleges that the whole or any part of
the expense ought to be borne by any other person having an
interest in the premises, he may apply to the magistrate’s
court for the district in which the shop is situated and that
court may make such order concerning the expense or its
apportionment as appears to the court, having regard to all
the circumstances of the case, including the terms of any
contract between the parties, to be just and equitable, and any
order made under this section may direct that any such
contract as aforesaid shall cease to have effect in so far as it is
inconsistent with the terms of the order.
15. (1) It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of
Police to enforce or cause to be enforced the provisions of this
Act relating to the hours of opening and closing of shops and
prohibited sales.
(2) It shall be the duty—
(a) in an urban area, of the local authority
thereof; and
(b) in a rural area, of the Central Board of
Health,
as part of their duties under the Public Health Ordinance, to
enforce or cause to be enforced the provisions of section 13 of
this Act and any officer of that authority and any member or
officer of the Board shall for the purposes of his powers and
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Prohibition of
sale of certain
goods at certain
times.
[18 of 1997]

Cap. 145
1953 ed.
duties have in relation to shops all the powers conferred on
such members and officers by section 140 of that Act and that
section and sections 149 and 153 of the same Act shall apply
accordingly.
(3) It shall be the duty of the Chief Labour Officer
to enforce or cause to be enforced the provisions of this Act
relating to shop assistants, their wages, and hours of work,
and any officer of the Department of Labour may appear in a
court of law and conduct all prosecutions on behalf of the
Chief Labour Officer:
Provided that a prosecution in respect of the matters
referred to in this subsection may be instituted by any person
with the previous sanction of the Chief Labour Officer.
16. (1) Anything to the contrary in any Act
notwithstanding, any person who sells or exposes or offers for
sale in any place other than a shop any goods of any
description at any time or on any day during which a shop in
that area or place is by this Act forbidden to be open for the
sale of goods of a like description shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of ten thousand, five hundred:
Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to
prohibit a sale for any charitable, religious or public purpose
or a private sale by a person not engaged in the sale of goods
as a trade or business or a sale at auction of private effects by
a duly licensed auctioneer.
(2) Any goods exposed for sale in contravention of
subsection (1) may be seized by any police constable and shall
be liable and leviable for the amount of the fine and costs
imposed for contravention of the said subsection and, in
default of payment thereof by the offender upon conviction,
shall be sold by an order of the magistrate, and, if the
proceeds of the sale are not sufficient for the payment of the
fine and costs, the offender shall be liable for the amount
unsatisfied and payment therefor shall be recoverable as in
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Exemptions.
[3 of 1977
18 of 1997]
this Act provided.
17. Nothing in this Act shall extend to—
(a) the sale at any time and on any day of any
provisions, stores, fuel, or other supplies for
the use of any vessel anchored in the
territorial or inland waters of Guyana, on
the written order of the captain or chief
officer or the local agent of such vessel, and
subject to compliance with the custom laws;
or
(b) the sale at any time and on any day of any
article required for the burial of the dead or
for any sick person or animal when the
seller thereof has reasonable ground for
believing such article to be required for
any of those purposes; or
(c) the sale at any time and on any day of fresh
milk or ice and the delivery of yeast for
baking purposes; or
(d) the sale of bread, cake, fresh meat, fresh fish,
fresh fruit, fresh vegetables or non-alcoholic
beverages on any public holiday and at any
hour on any other day; or
(e) the sale at any time and on any day of any
newspaper published in Guyana; or
(f) the sale at any time and on any day at petrol
filling stations, motor vehicle and repair
service stations, of petroleum, lubricants and
accessories required for the repair of, or use
in, any motor vehicle; or
(g) the sale at any time and on any day in any
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Penalty and
procedure
where persons
found in shops
during closed
hours.
[18 of 1997]
cookshop of food cooked therein; or
(h) the sale, after the closing hours, of tobacco,
matches, table waters, sweets, chocolates or
other sugar confectionery or ice cream, at
any time during the performance in any
theatre, cinematograph theatre, music hall,
or other similar place of entertainment so
long as the sale is to a bona fide member of
the audience and in a part of the building to
which no other members of the public have
access; or
(i) the delivery of goods:
Provided that the occupier of any shop—
(i) in the foregoing cases shall conform to
the requirements of section 11(b) and
(c);
(ii) in the foregoing cases, except as
mentioned in paragraph (f) shall
conform to the requirements of
section 11(d).
18. [Repealed by Act No. 18 of 1997]
19. (1) If any person is found in a shop within any
period of time during which business cannot be lawfully
transacted therein or during which it is by this Act required to
be closed or prohibited from being open, the occupier of the
shop and any other person or persons actually in charge of
the shop and also the person found therein shall be liable on
summary conviction—
(a) in the case of the occupier and other
person in charge, to a fine not less
than five thousand, three hundred
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Liability of
proprietor for
breach of Act
by members of
his family.
dollars and not exceeding ten
thousand, five hundred dollars, and
(b) in the case of the person found
therein, to a fine not less than one
thousand, five hundred dollars and
not exceeding five thousand, three
hundred dollars:
Provided that it shall be a defence to any proceedings
under this subsection to prove that the person so found was
there as a member of the occupier’s family, or as his servant
(other than a shop assistant employed by him) or as a friend
being entertained by the occupier or other person in charge of
the shop or was in the shop for some lawful purpose.
(2) Any police constable may demand the name
and address of any person found in a shop during the period
of time aforesaid and, if he has reasonable ground to suspect
that the name or address given is false, may require evidence
of the correctness of such name and address, and may, if such
person fails upon such demand to give his name or address,
or evidence of the correctness of the name or address so given
apprehend him without warrant and take him as soon as
practicable before a magistrate.
(3) Any person who, when so required by a police
constable to give his name and address, fails to give the same
or gives a false name or address, or produces false evidence
with respect to such name or address, shall be liable, on
summary conviction, to a fine of two thousand, eight hundred
dollars.

20. (1) The occupier of a shop shall be, and he is
hereby declared to be, penally liable for the breach of any
provision of this Act by any member of his family or by any
person employed, whether temporarily or permanently, in or
about the shop or in or about any room or place thereto
attached and belonging, in the same manner and as fully as if
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Proceedings in
case of breach
of provisions of
Act.
he himself had committed the breach.
(2) Any member of the occupier’s family or any
person employed by the occupier may be examined as a
witness for or against the occupier on any charge brought
against him under this Act, and, if so examined, shall not
himself thereafter be liable to any charge in respect of that
breach.
21. Where by this Act the occupier of a shop is made
liable to a fine in respect of any act or omission and a charge
is preferred alleging that act or omission, the following
proceedings shall be lawful:
(a) the summons may be served in the manner
permitted by law, or by leaving it with any
person who is apparently a clerk or servant
found on the premises or, if that person
cannot be found, by affixing the summons in
a conspicuous manner to the outer door or
outer wall of the premises;
(b) where the occupier is not at the time present
within Guyana, his attorney or agent may
appear at the hearing of the charge on his
behalf; and
(c) where the occupier is not at the time present
within Guyana, either at the time of the act
or omission charged or at the time when the
summons is served, the magistrate, on being
satisfied as to the service of the summons as
hereinbefore authorised, shall proceed to
investigate the matter of the charge, whether
an attorney or agent appears for the
occupier or not, and, if the act or omission is
proved, may order the fine to be paid and to
be levied by distress upon the goods of the
occupier.
LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 21
L.R.O. 1/2012
Onus of proof
in certain cases.
Penalties.
[18 of 1997]

Prosecutions
and recovery
of fines.
Saving.
Cap. 118
1953 Ed.
22. In any prosecution against the occupier of a shop
for the breach of any of the provisions of this Act relating to
shop assistants, if the defendant claims that the person
alleged to be a shop assistant is not a shop assistant, the onus
of proving that such person is not a shop assistant shall be on
the defendant.
23. (1) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply
with any of the provisions of section 3, 6, 7, 8, section 11(d) or
section 12 shall be liable on summary conviction, in the case
of a first conviction to a fine of not less than four hundred
dollars and not exceeding seven hundred and fifty dollars, in
the case of a second conviction to a fine of not less than five
thousand, three hundred dollars and not more than ten
thousand, five hundred dollars, and in the case of a third or
subsequent conviction to a fine of not less than twenty-eight
thousand dollars and not exceeding fifty-two thousand, five
hundred dollars, respectively;
(2) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply
with any of the other provisions of this Act for which no
special penalty is provided shall be liable on summary
conviction to a fine of one hundred and fifty dollars.
24. All complaints under this Act may be prosecuted
and fines recovered in the manner provided by the Summary
Jurisdiction Acts.
25. Notwithstanding the repeal of the Shops
Ordinance—
(a) any register kept by, or under the authority
of, the Commissioner of Police under that
Ordinance may continue to be kept and in
such case shall be deemed to be kept under
this Act;
(b) all Orders in Council, and Orders, save and
except the Shops Hours (Special
LAWS OF GUYANA
22 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
L.R.O. 1/2012
sec. 3
[15 of 2009]
Provision)(Kitty) Order and the Shop
Assistants (Markets) Order shall continue to
be of full force and effect as though they
were made under this Act.
_______________
FIRST SCHEDULE
DAYS AND HOURS BETWEEN WHICH CERTAIN SHOPS
MAY BE KEPT OPEN
The days on which and the hours between which shops
restaurants, parlours, cookshops, barbers’ and hairdressers’
establishments may be opened and kept open shall be as
follows:
1. SHOPS
Every day – 7.30 a.m. to 10.00 pm.

2. RESTAURANTS AND COOKSHOPS
24 hours per day.
3. PARLOURS, BARBERS’ AND HAIRDRESSERS’
ESTABLISHMENTS
Every day – 6.00 a.m. to midnight.
__________________

LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 23
L.R.O. 1/2012
s. 6
[18 of 1997]
s. 2
SECOND SCHEDULE
EMPLOYMENT OF SHOP ASSISTANTS BEYOND THE
TIME
1. URBAN AREAS
The purposes for which and the periods of time during
which shop assistants may be employed beyond the time
specified in the First Schedule are as follows—
Purposes Periods of
time
1. Where serving customers
who were in the shop
before the closing hour Not exceeding half
an hour.
2. Where despatching or delivering
orders received before the closing hour—
Not exceeding half
an hour.
3. Checking and balancing cash Not exceeding half
an hour.
________________
THIRD SCHEDULE
ARTICLES SOLD IN CERTAIN SHOPS
(The articles of merchandise which may be sold in restaurants,
parlours and cookshops)

LAWS OF GUYANA
24 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
L.R.O. 1/2012

s. 10(2)
Aerated waters coffee
arrowroot confectionery
biscuits food cooked on the premises
bread fruits and fruit juices
cakes ice
candles ice cream
cheese malt liquor
cigarettes matches
cigars milk (fresh)
cocoa tea
wine wine (including the liquor
known as falernum
_____________
FOURTH SCHEDULE
FORM OF NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that seats are provided in this shop for
the sole use of shop assistants and that such shop assistants
are expected to make reasonable use of them.
______________

LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91.04 25
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
SHOP HOURS (SPECIAL PROVISION) ORDER

made under section 3
Citation.
Exemption.
[O.27/1959]

Shops in urban
markets.
[O.65/1959]
First Schedule.

Shops in urban
areas.
[O.30/1975]
First Schedule.
Hours of
opening.
Application
Schedule
1. This Order may be cited as the Shop Hours (Special
Provision) Order.
2. Stalls in markets in all rural areas are exempted
from the operation of section 3 of the Act.
3. Notwithstanding the hours prescribed in the First
Schedule to the Act, the shops in urban markets are
permitted to remain open during such hours as the market
remains open but no shop assistant shall be employed in any
shop to which this order relates for more than forty and
three-quarters hours in any one week.
3A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
First Schedule to the Act, the hours between which shops
(other than restaurants, parlours, cookshops and barbers'
and hairdressers' establishments) in urban areas may be
opened and kept on Tuesday, 25th March, 1975 shall be 7.30
a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
4. Without prejudice to the other provisions of the Act,
but subject to this Order, the shops designated in Part A of
each Schedule are permitted to open during the hours
prescribed in Part B of that Schedule.
5. The provisions contained in Part C of any Schedule
apply to the shops designated in Part A of that Schedule.
L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
26 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.22/1960
O.36/1973
SCHEDULE 1
PART A
ALL SHOPS at Cromarty, Corentyne, Berbice.
PART B
(Hours, during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
(b)Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
(c) Saturdays and Christmas 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m
Eve 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m..
__________
SCHEDULE 2
PART A
ALL SHOPS (OTHER THAN restaurants, parlours,
cookshops and barbers' and hairdressers' establishments) in
the Whim/Bloomfield area situate in the County of Berbice,
bounded on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by
the extremity of the third depth of Whim, and its
prolongation west-wards, on the east by the common
boundary between Lancaster and Whim, and its
prolongation southwards, and on the west by the common
boundary between Bloomfield and John, and its
prolongation southwards.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 27
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012

O. 6/1967
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
(b)Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.,
(c) Saturdays and 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Christmas Eve 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
___________
SCHEDULE 3
PART A
ALL SHOPS at Rose Hall Village in the Corentyne, on
the east sea coast of the County of Berbice, bounded on the
north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by State lands held
by the proprietors of Plantation Albion, under Licence No.
2,719 on the east by Plantation Port Mourant, and on the
west by Plantation Williamsburg.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
(b)Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.,
(c) Saturdays and Eve 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Christmas 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.

LAWS OF GUYANA
28 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O. 34/1951
O.18/1955
SCHEDULE 4
PART A
The Commissary Ration Store of the Berbice Company
Limited at Kwakwani, Berbice.
PART B
(Hours during which store may be open)
(a) Mondays to Thursdays 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) Fridays 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.,
Saturdays 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
(c) Public Holidays 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.
Christmas Eve 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
PART C
The Company shall not employ any shop assistant in
or about its business for aggregate periods exceeding eight
hours in any day or forty-seven hours in any week.
SCHEDULE 5
PART A
THE SHOP of the Berbice Mining Enterprises at
Kwakwani, Berbice River.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 29
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.62/1962
PART B
(Hours during which shop may be open)
(a) Mondays, Wednesdays, 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
(b) Tuesdays and Thursdays 2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

(c) Public Holidays 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m.
(d) Christmas Eve 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
SCHEDULE 6
PART A
ALL SHOPS at the Ituni Townsite situated on the Demerara-
Berbice watershed near the source of Ituni River, on the left
bank of the Berbice River, being the area known as Ituni
Townsite (165 acres) and defined in the State Land Lease No.
A5636.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
(b) Wednesdays and
Public Holidays 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
(c) Saturdays and 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Christmas Eve 3.30 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.

LAWS OF GUYANA
30 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.67/1959
O.68/1959
SCHEDULE 7
PART A
ALL SHOPS (OTHER THAN restaurants, parlours,
cookshop and barbers’ and hairdressers’ establishments) in
that area at Mahaicony situate on the western side of the
Mahaicony river and bounded on the east by the aforesaid
river and on all other sides by an imaginary line being the
arc of a circle having a radius of 800 yards with its centre at
the western end of the Mahaicony railway bridge.
PART B
(Hours between which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m
(b)Wednesdays and Public 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.,
Holidays
(c) Saturdays and 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m
Christmas Eve 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
----------------------
SCHEDULE 8
PART A
ALL SHOPS (OTHER THAN restaurants, parlours,
cookshops and barbers' and hairdressers' establishments) in
that area at Mahaica situate on the western side of the
Mahaica river and bounded on the east by the aforesaid river
and on all other sides by an imaginary line being the arc of a
circle having a radius of 800 yards with its centre at the
western end of the Public Road bridge across the Mahaica
river.
LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 31
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.31/1959
92/1959
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
(b)Wednesdays and Public 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.,
Holidays

(c) Saturdays and 7.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Christmas Eve 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
----------------
SCHEDULE 9
PART A
ALL SHOPS (OTHER THAN restaurants, parlours,
cookshops and barbers' and hairdressers' establishments) in
that portion of the East Coast of the County of Demerara
bounded as follows—
On the north by the Atlantic Ocean;
On the south by the East Demerara Water Supply Canal ;
On the east by the common boundary between Friendship
Village on the East Coast of the County of Demerara and
PlantationVigilance and its prolongation in a straight line to
the East Demerara Water Supply Canal;
On the west by the common boundary between Plantation
Kitty and Plantation Blygezight (part of Plantation Bel Air
cum annexis and the Lamaha Canal);
LAWS OF GUYANA
32 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.31/1959
92/1959
Excluding the area known as Annandale.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) Wednesdays and Public 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Holidays
(c) Saturdays and Christmas 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Eve 1.30 p.m. to 8.15 p.m.
_______________
SCHEDULE 10
PART A
ALL SHOPS at Annandale, in that portion of the East Coast
of the County of Demerara described in Part A OF Schedule
8
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
(b) Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 7 a.m. to 10 a.m
(c) Saturdays and Christmas 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Eve 2.30 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.
_______________
LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 33
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.21/1946
SCHEDULE 11
PART A
ALL SHOPS other than restaurants and parlours in the Lodge
Village District as defined in a Notice published in the Gazette
of the 27th May, 1905, at page 1588.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
Weekdays, other than Public
Holidays and half-holidays 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Half-holiday 7.30 a.m. to 12 noon
The day following Good Friday 7.30 am to 12 noon
Provided that –
(a) During the Christmas period the hours shall be
(i) for the first seven working
days of this period
(other than the weekly
half-holiday) 7.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(ii) for the second seven
working days of this period 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(iii) on Christmas Eve and
on the Saturday
preceding Christmas Eve
when the latter days falls on
a Sunday 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

(b) On public holidays (other than the day following Good
Friday) provision shops and groceries paying a
LAWS OF GUYANA
34 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.33/1944
licence duty of or under $70 per annum may open and keep
open between the hours of 6.30 a.m. and 9 a.m.
(b) Where a public holiday falls on a Monday,
provision shops and groceries paying a licence
duty of or under $70 per annum may remain open
for an additional hour on the Saturday immediately
preceding the Monday, except where the Saturday
is the day following Good Friday.
PART C
The following provisions of the Act, namely, section 4 (which
relates to the weekly half-holiday), section 7 (which relates to
the restriction on employment in more than one shop) and
section 8 (which relates to the luncheon interval) shall have
effect as if this area were an urban area.
_______________
SCHEDULE 12

PART A
All Barbers' Shops at Linden, Demerara.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Subject to (b), Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
(b) Subject to (c), Wednesdays and
Public Holidays 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
(c) Christmas Eve 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 35
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.21/1960
O.24/1951
PART C
Barbers shall not employ any shop assistant in or about their
premises at Linden for aggregate periods exceeding eight
hours in any day or forty- seven hours in any week.
___________
SCHEDULE 13
PART A
ALL SHOPS of A. Choo Kang and Company, Limited at
Linden and Ituni, Demerara River.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m
(b) Wednesdays and
Public Holidays 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
(c) Saturdays and on 6.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.
Christmas Eve 3.00 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.

____________
SCHEDULE 14
PART A
ALL RATION STORES of Guyana Stores Limited at Linden
and Ituni, Demerara River.
LAWS OF GUYANA
36 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.61/1962
PART B
(Hours during which stores may be open)
(a) Subject to (b), Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
2.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
(b) Subject to (c), Wednesdays and
Public Holidays 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
(c) Christmas Eve 4p.m. to 8p.m.

PART C
The Company shall not employ any shop assistant in or about
its business for aggregate periods exceeding eight hours in
any day or forty-seven hours in any week.
_________________
SCHEDULE 15
PART A
ALL SHOPS (EXCEPT the Shop of the Singer Sewing
Company) in the Linden area situate on the right bank of the
Demerara River commencing from the Kara-Kara River and
extending up the left bank of the Kara-Kara River to the
Shibaru Creek thence up the left bank of the Shibaru Creek to
its source and thence in a straight line due west to the right
bank of the Demerara River at Three Friends.

LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 37
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.20/1960
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
(b) Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
(c) Saturdays and 8 00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Christmas Eve 3.00 p.m. to 9.15 p.m.

_____________
SCHEDULE 16
PART A
SHOP of the Singer Sewing Company at Linden, Demerara.
PART B
(Hours during which shop may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.
(b) Wednesday 8.00 a.m. to 11.15 a.m.

(c) Saturdays 8.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
__________

LAWS OF GUYANA
38 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O. 3/1954
O.66/1959
24/1960
SCHEDULE 17
PART A
THE SHOP of J. P. Santos and Company Limited at Diamond,
Pomeroon River, Essequibo.
PART B
(Hours during which shop may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
(b) Thursdays and Public
Holidays 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
(c) Saturdays and Christmas
Eve 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m.to 9.00 p.m.
___________
SCHEDULE 18
PART A
ALL SHOPS (OTHER THAN restaurants, parlours, and
cookshops, barbers' and hairdressers' establishments) at
Morawhanna, North West District.
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
Monday 7.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m
LAWS OF GUYANA
Shops (Consolidation) Cap. 91:04 39
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.39/1961
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Thursdays 8.00 a.m. to 2.45 p.m.

Fridays and Public Holidays 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Saturdays and Christmas Eve 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
._____________
SCHEDULE 19
PART A
ALL SHOPS situate in the North West Amerindian District
as described in the North West Amerindian District Order
1953 (No. 59/1953).
PART B
(Hours during which shops may be open)
(a) Mondays, Tuesdays, 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m
(b) Wednesdays and Public
Holidays 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon.
(c) Saturdays and Christmas 7.00 a.m. to 11.45 a.m.
Eve 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

____________
LAWS OF GUYANA
40 Cap. 91:04 Shops (Consolidation)
[Subsidiary] Shop Hours (Special Provision) Order
L.R.O. 1/2012
O.74/1974
SCHEDULE 20
PART A
The Shop of Guyana Stores Limited of Lima, Essequibo.
PART B
(Hours during which shop may be open)
(a) Subject to Section 17(c), (d)
and (e) of Chapter 91:04,
Mondays, Tuesdays,
Wednesdays, Thursdays
and Fridays 7 .30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
(b) Subject to Section 17(c)
and (d) of Chapter 91:04,
Saturdays 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon
(c) Christmas Eve and
on the Saturday
preceding Christmas
Eve when the latter
day falls on a Sunday 7.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
(d) The first seven working
days during the Christmas
period 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
(e) The day before Good
Friday 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
_______________________