As the festive season approaches, households across the UK are being urged to plan their celebrations carefully, with a specific warning to check bottle shop trading hours well in advance. Major liquor retailers have confirmed significantly reduced opening times over the Christmas and New Year period, a move that could leave last-minute shoppers stranded.
Key Holiday Closures and Reduced Hours
The message from retailers is clear: do not leave your festive drink purchases until the last minute. While most major chains will extend their hours in the lead-up to Christmas Day, the day itself will see a near-total shutdown nationwide. Trading resumes swiftly on Boxing Day, but operating hours will vary dramatically between different regions and even individual suburbs.
This patchwork of regulations is particularly pronounced in certain areas. Shoppers in regions with stricter trading laws, analogous to places like Queensland or South Australia, need to be especially vigilant as some outlets will close entirely on public holidays. With high demand expected for champagne, beer, and other hosting essentials, failing to plan could result in the dreaded scenario of an empty cooler just as guests arrive.
Major Retailer Schedules at a Glance
To help navigate the festive rush, here is a breakdown of the confirmed trading hours for leading bottle shop chains. Customers are strongly advised to verify times for their local store via the respective websites, as variations are common.
Dan Murphy's
All Dan Murphy's stores will follow a national pattern with some state-based exceptions. On Christmas Eve, stores are set to open from 9am to 9pm, though some may offer extended hours. Christmas Day will see every store closed across the country.
Boxing Day marks a return to trading nationwide. Most states will operate from 9am to 8pm, while stores in Victoria will close earlier at 7pm. Normal weekend hours resume on the 27th and 28th of December. For New Year's Eve, trading will run from 9am to 9pm, followed by shorter hours of 10am to 6pm on New Year's Day.
BWS
BWS stores will largely maintain normal trading hours on Christmas Eve, with some extending their closing times. The picture on Christmas Day is mixed: while the majority of stores will be closed, a select few may remain open, making it essential to check locally.
From Boxing Day through to New Year's Day, stores will be open but with varied hours across the network. New Year's Eve will see normal trading, potentially with extended closing times at certain locations.
Liquorland
The Liquorland group, including its Warehouse and Cellars formats, has also outlined its festive schedule. All standard Liquorland stores will be open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day, with only a handful of exceptions in Victoria and Tasmania.
Most stores will reopen on Boxing Day, though specific outlets in Queensland and South Australia are listed as exceptions. All stores will trade on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Day, most will open, but several stores in Queensland and selected metropolitan and regional stores in South Australia will be closed.
Plan Ahead to Secure Your Celebrations
The overarching advice from all retailers is to plan ahead. The festive period is a logistical challenge for the hospitality and retail sectors, and trading hours are inevitably affected. By checking your local bottle shop's website for its specific holiday timetable, you can ensure your Christmas lunch, Boxing Day barbecue, or New Year's Eve party is fully stocked and stress-free.
Leaving it to the final hour risks disappointment, as the nationwide closure on Christmas Day and reduced hours on other key dates are designed to give staff a well-deserved break. A little preparation now can guarantee your festive focus remains on celebration, not on a last-minute dash for supplies.
