Major UK supermarkets have warned customers of store closures over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Stores across England and Wales are forced to close on Easter Sunday (March 31) if they are larger than 280 square metres, as per Government rules.
This applies to supermarkets, DIY stores, fashion brands and other retailers, who will have to change their working hours.
While most shops will remain open on Good Friday (March 29) and Easter Monday (April 1), both of which are bank holidays, exact hours may vary.
These are the opening times of the majority of supermarkets in England and Wales across the Easter holiday weekend.
Lidl
The majority of Lidl’s 960 stores will observe the following trading hours this weekend.
- Good Friday, March 29 – 8am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 9am to 9pm
Aldi
Aldi opening times are as follows:
- Good Friday, March 29 – 8am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 8am to 8pm
Marks and Spencer
M&S’ stores will open as usual on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with the majority trading between 8am and 8pm.
Most of its stores will close on Easter Sunday too, however a small number will open from 9am to 6pm. The retailer didn’t specify which stores will open on Easter Sunday, but the store locator tool will state if your local branch will be open.
Tesco
The retailer has confirmed that all Tesco Extras and Tesco Superstores will close in England and Wales on Easter Sunday, though most Tesco Express stores will remain open. Shoppers can use the store locator tool to check before heading out.
These are the opening times for the majority of larger Tesco supermarkets this weekend.
- Good Friday, March 29 – 6am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 8am to 6pm
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s superstores in England and Wales will close on Easter Sunday, though some Sainsbury’s Locals will remain open between 7am and 9pm. These are the opening hours for the larger supermarkets this weekend.
- Good Friday, March 29 – 8am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 8am to 8pm
Morrisons
Morrisons stores in England and Wales will open for the following hours over the Easter weekend:
- Good Friday, March 29 – 7am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 7am to 8pm
Asda
Most superstore branches will observe different opening hours over the weekend, though the majority of Express sites will remain open as normal – even those that are 24 hours, an Asda spokesperson confirmed.
- Good Friday, March 29 – 6am to 10pm
- Easter Sunday, March 31 – Closed
- Bank Holiday Monday, April 1 – 6am to 10pm
Iceland
Iceland shoppers will find that most stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will all close on Easter Sunday, while Scottish branches remain open.
Regular opening hours will apply for Easter Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday, apart from shopping centre branches.
It’s best to use the supermarket’s store locator tool to confirm your local branch opening hours.
Co-op
The chain’s larger stores will be open as usual on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday. However, branches in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will close on Easter Sunday.
Co-op’s smaller convenience stores will be open as normal across the Easter weekend. Use the store locator to find out exact opening hours for your local branch.
Waitrose
Waitrose will keep most of its stores open between 8am and 8pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday with some of its smaller stores staying open between 6am and midnight.
All Waitrose shops will be open as normal on Easter Saturday while the vast majority of them in England, Scotland and Wales will close on Easter Sunday, bar 20 branches.
The following Waitrose shops will stay open on Sunday, March 31:
- Fulham Palace Rd
- West Kensington
- Clapham Common
- Knightsbridge
- Victoria Street
- Kings Cross Station
- South Bank Tower
- Wimbledon Hill
- East Putney
- West Hampstead
- Highbury Corner
- Muswell Hill
- Finchley Central
- Byres Rd
- Newton Mearns
- Stirling
- Milngavie
- Comely Bank
- Morningside
- Fitzroy Street, Cambridge