Amsterdam city council has backed a two-year experiment which will allow city centre shops to open 24 hours a day.

‘Busy families with two working parents and singles who work long days need flexibility,’ local D66 leader Jan Paternotte said. ‘The same applies to club doormen, doctors on late shift or builders who have to start before dawn.’

The lifting of opening restrictions will not apply to the city’s red light district. The proposal to allow shops to open 24/7 was put forward by the city’s two Liberal parties.

A spokeswoman for the city centre employers’ organisation Amsterdam City told the Parool it remained to be seen if shops take advantage of the new rules. ‘We have not had any requests so far,’ she said.

City centre shops may currently open from 06.00 to 22.00, according to the city council website.