SHOPS have shied away from a campaign to stop big retailers making staff work on Boxing Day.

Independent stores in Oxford stressed the importance of giving staff time off on December 26, but did not back a petition forcing large companies to follow suit.

The manager of gift shop Podarok in High Street suggested it was easier for smaller shops to shut when they please.

Amy Hawes said: “As an independent there is no expectation for us to open. We really feel our staff work extremely hard over December and we always give them that time off.

“But larger companies have got to think about shareholders and profit margins; it’s much harder for them than for us.”

A petition on change.org has gathered more than 233,200 signatures nationwide, arguing that the Government should make shops close on Boxing Day so staff can take a break.

Prime Minister Theresa May refused to force the closures.

Daisy Leach, manager of Aspire Style in High Street, said she can see the debate from ‘both sides’.

She said: “We will not be opening; our owners stress the importance of people staying with their families. I have worked on Boxing Day for a large company and it wasn’t fun. I don’t think people should have to - but that’s retail.”

Boswell’s operations manager Frank Smith said the Broad Street department store will also be shut.

He said: “Boxing Day tends to be more about out-of-town retailers and the internet. For the city centre the bank holiday on December 27 will be the most commercially-successful opportunity to open.

“People may have to [work Boxing Day] elsewhere and that’s unfortunate but some businesses need to trade. We live in a 24 hour culture of retail - if you chose not to be a part of that, you can step away.”