The UK is set to enjoy another long weekend as the August bank holiday approaches. With Monday, August 31, being a bank holiday, shops and supermarkets will operate at different times than normal, with reduced hours in many cases.
Each year, England and Wales recognise eight bank holidays, Scotland nine, and Northern Ireland ten. After this weekend, the remaining bank holidays are Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, and the substitute Boxing Day on Monday, December 28.
Shoppers needing last-minute items are advised to check their local store's opening times to avoid being caught out. A list of opening times for eight major supermarkets—Aldi, Asda, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose—has been compiled.
Aldi and Asda Opening Times
Aldi has confirmed that stores across England and Wales will open from 8am until 8pm on bank holiday Monday. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, stores will operate their usual opening hours. However, some store opening times may vary, so customers should check details for their local store.
Rachel Geary, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Whether shoppers are stocking up for a barbecue, getting together with family and friends or picking up some last-minute essentials, we want to make their bank holiday shop as easy as possible.” She added: “For anyone looking to beat the bank holiday rush, heading to stores first thing in the morning or later in the evening is likely to mean a quieter shop.”
For reference, Aldi Manchester Arndale and Aldi White City Retail Park, Trafford, will follow these weekend hours.
Asda will have the majority of its stores operating reduced hours on bank holiday Monday, with most open from 8am until 10pm. Some stores may vary, so customers should check local details. Example hours include Asda Eastlands (Saturday 12am-10pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 8am-10pm) and Asda Longsight (Saturday 7am-9pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 8am-9pm).
Lidl and M&S Opening Times
Lidl has confirmed that opening times will vary across the country, with many stores operating reduced hours. A Lidl spokesperson said: "Our store opening hours for the Summer Bank Holiday are as follows: All our stores in Scotland and those inside the M25 will remain open as normal. Most stores outside the M25 and in Wales will operate under slightly reduced hours of 08:00 – 20:00 (8am-8pm). We encourage customers to check their local store's opening hours on the online store finder or through the Lidl Plus app before they make their journey."
Example Lidl hours include Lidl Piccadilly Gardens (Saturday 7am-10pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 8am-8pm) and Lidl Fitzwarren Street, Salford (Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, Monday 8am-8pm).
M&S stores in England and Wales may operate reduced opening hours on bank holiday Monday, so customers should check local details. Example hours include M&S Stretford (Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, Monday 8am-8pm) and M&S Manchester Spinningfields (Saturday 9am-7pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 9am-8pm).
Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose
Morrisons stores in England and Wales will open from 7am to 8pm on bank holiday Monday. Some stores may vary, so customers should check local details. Example hours include Morrisons Chorlton-cum-Hardy (Saturday 7am-11pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 7am-8pm) and Morrisons Oldham (Saturday 7am-10pm, Sunday 10am-4pm, Monday 7am-8pm).
Most Sainsbury's stores in England and Wales will open from 7am until 8pm on bank holiday Monday, with convenience stores open from 7am to 11pm. Some stores may vary. Example hours include Sainsbury's Salford, Regent Road (Saturday 7am-10pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 7am-9pm) and Sainsbury's Fallowfield (Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 7am-8pm).
The majority of larger Tesco stores in England and Wales will open from 8am until 6pm. Some stores may vary. Example hours include Tesco Failsworth Extra (Saturday 6am-11pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Monday 8am-6pm) and Tesco Stalybridge Superstore (Saturday 6am-Midnight, Sunday 10am-4pm, Monday 8am-6pm).
Waitrose opening times will vary across the country, with many stores operating reduced hours. As some stores may vary, customers should check details for their local store.
