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Most UK shops stay open on bank holidays — but with reduced hours. The exceptions are Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which carry stricter rules.
The Sunday Trading Act and bank holidays
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 limits large shops (over 280 sq m) to six hours of trading on a Sunday in England and Wales. Easter Sunday is treated as a Sunday for these purposes — large shops cannot open at all. The same restrictions apply to Christmas Day if it falls on a Sunday.
Other bank holidays are treated as ordinary trading days. Shops can open the full hours they choose. In practice most reduce their hours.
Typical bank holiday hours
| Shop type | Typical bank holiday hours |
|---|---|
| Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda | 8am-8pm or 9am-7pm (vs normal 7am-11pm) |
| Tesco Metro / Sainsbury’s Local | Often normal hours |
| Marks & Spencer | 10am-4pm or closed Easter Sunday |
| Independent corner shops | Often open as normal — check locally |
| Department stores | 11am-5pm typically |
| Pubs and restaurants | Mostly open, sometimes with bank holiday menu |
Christmas Day rules
The Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 makes it illegal for large shops in England and Wales to open on Christmas Day. Smaller shops can open but most don’t. Boxing Day has no such restriction.
Where to check on the day
Major retailers publish bank holiday opening hours on their store finder pages, usually a week or two before the day. Google Maps and Apple Maps usually carry up-to-date hours but can be wrong — call ahead if it matters.
Frequently asked
Is the answer to ‘shops open bank holiday’?
Shops open bank holiday — see our quick answer above.
Where is this defined?
UK statutes and gov.uk are the primary sources. Specific rules vary by sector and contract.
What if I’m unsure of my own situation?
Speak to ACAS, your employer’s HR, or a UK solicitor if it involves money or contractual rights.