M&S confirms it will shut majority of stores for full 24 hours this weekend to give staff a break
M&S has confirmed it will be closing its stores for 24 hours this weekend to give staff a break.
Most of its shops will be shut on Easter Sunday so shoppers will need to grab any last-minute Easter bits before then.
The posh supermarket told The Sun that the closures are in place “so colleagues can spend time with friends and family”.
However a small number of stores will be open between 9am and 6pm.
The opening times will vary by individual store, so you should check the hours of your local shop on M&S.com or on the M&S app.
A spokesperson for the supermarket added: “M&S stores will be open as usual on Good Friday and Easter Monday, the majority between 8am and 8pm.”
M&S is among the retailers adjusting its opening hours over the bank holiday weekend.
Larger supermarkets in England and Wales are legally required to close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
This is in place for shops bigger than 280 square metres.
But some smaller shops will also take the decision to allow staff to spend time with family.
Sunday trading laws mean any stores that choose to remain open can only do so for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm.
Still, most stores will be open as usual on Good Friday and on Saturday so you’ll have plenty of time to grab your essentials and Easter treats.
Another supermarket adjusting its hours this weekend is Tesco, which will close 800 of its larger locations on Easter Sunday.
Its smaller Express and Metro stores will stay open.
All of its locations will operate their regular hours on Saturday.
Meanwhile Asda will also close 580 of its larger locations for 24 hours on Easter Sunday.
Morrisons will close 289 locations across England and Wales on that day.
However all Co-op locations will operate normal hours over Easter weekend thanks to a loophole in the legislation.
Why do retailers close on Easter Sunday?
A legal mandate in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland dictates that all store locations over 280 square metres are required to close on Easter Sunday.
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 restricts the opening hours of larger stores on Sundays.
Smaller shops, under 280 square metres, are not subject to this law but many still choose to close to give their staff a break.
These rules also apply to locations on Christmas Day.
Scotland does not have specific restrictions on operating hours for these days.
How many more UK bank holidays are there in 2025?
There are plenty of bank holidays still to come in 2025 – here’s the complete list.
England and Wales
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Scotland
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Northern Ireland
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
July 14, 2025 – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day (substitute day)
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day