Major garden centre to close almost ALL stores for 24 hours this weekend – check when yours will reopen
A MAJOR garden centre chain will close almost all of its stores for an entire 24-hour period, in just days.
Dobbies, which has 60 stores across the UK, will close its doors in all England, Wales and Northern Ireland locations on Easter Sunday, with shops in Scotland remaining open.
It is extremely common for retailers to alter their opening hours during bank holiday weekends, to allow customers a well earned break.
And larger stores in England and Wales have no choice in the matter, as they are required by law to close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
The 24-hour closure rule applies to any shop bigger than 280 square metres.
Government laws also affect shop opening times on Sundays, with larger stores only allowed to open for six consecutive hours, between 10am and 6pm.
A spokesperson confirmed to The Sun that all Dobbies stores will operate normal trading hours on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday.
However, trading hours differ from store to store, so it’s best to check you local branch’s opening times to avoid disappointment.
A statement reads: ” All stores are closed Easter Sunday apart from Scottish stores which are open from 9am-6pm.”
So if you’re planning on using the bank holiday weekend to give your garden a bit of a spruce up, it’s a good idea to get any bits you need in before Sunday.
Other Store Closed Over Easter
Dobbies isn’t the only store that will be closed for 24 hours over the weekend.
All Aldi stores in England and Wales will close over Easter Sunday, with stores in Scotland to remain open.
On Good Friday and Easter Saturday, Aldi supermarkets will be open from 8am to 10pm, with stores operating reduced hours (from 8am to 8pm) on Easter Monday.
Tesco will be closing 800 of its UK supermarkets on Easter Sunday, with Tesco Metro’s and Tesco Express stores remaining open.
All large stores in England and Wales will be closed on April 20, whilst stores in Scotland will operate normal trading hours.
Asda will also shut the doors to 580 of its larger stores on Easter Sunday, for a period of 24 hours.
As with the other supermarkets. its Express stores will remain open, and all stores in Scotland will operate with Sunday trading hours.
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.
And for anyone hoping to get some last minute bargains in over the Easter weekend, B&M will also be shutting 650 of its stores on Easter Sunday.
Bargain hunters in Scotland will be pleased to know that stores will remain open as usual.
Boots will operate reduced hours at most of its stores on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, with branches open from 10am to 8pm.
On Easter Sunday, all stores in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be closed for the day, while Scottish branches will remain open as usual.
You can find your local store’s trading hours by visiting boots.com/store-locator.
Co-op‘s larger stores will operate their usual hours on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday.
However, branches in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be closed on Easter Sunday.
The full list of stores remaining open on Easter Sunday can be found here.