Last reviewed: 25 May 2026
TL;DR: Most UK supermarkets operate reduced hours on the May bank holiday Monday (26 May 2026). Larger stores typically open 10am-4pm or 8am-8pm. Smaller format stores may keep standard hours. Always check your local store via the retailer's store finder before travelling.Today is the Spring Bank Holiday (Monday 26 May 2026), and searches for supermarket opening times are at peak volume across the UK. Here is a guide to what to expect from the major retailers.
Why Supermarket Hours Change on Bank Holidays
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 restricts large shops (over 280 square metres) in England and Wales to a maximum of six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm on Sundays. Bank holidays that fall on a Monday are not automatically subject to the Sunday trading restriction - they are governed by individual retailer decisions and any site-specific planning conditions.
In practice, most large supermarkets choose to operate reduced hours on bank holiday Mondays, reflecting lower footfall expectations and staff planning. Scotland has separate trading law and retailers there may operate differently.
Tesco Bank Holiday Hours
Tesco large stores (Extra and Superstore format) typically operate 8am to 8pm on bank holiday Mondays in England and Wales. Express and Metro formats generally keep their standard extended hours. Northern Ireland stores follow different hours. Use the Tesco store finder at tesco.com to check your specific branch.
Asda Bank Holiday Hours
Asda Superstores and Supercentres typically open 8am to 8pm on bank holiday Mondays. Some 24-hour Asda stores revert to reduced hours. Asda's store locator at asda.com allows you to search by postcode and see bank holiday hours where confirmed.
Aldi Bank Holiday Hours
Aldi stores in England and Wales typically open 8am to 8pm on bank holiday Mondays, though some stores operate 10am to 4pm in line with Sunday trading norms. Scottish and Northern Irish stores may vary. Check via aldi.co.uk store finder.
Lidl Bank Holiday Hours
Lidl typically operates reduced hours on bank holidays, with most stores open 8am to 8pm or 10am to 4pm depending on location and format. Lidl's store finder at lidl.co.uk confirms hours per branch.
Morrisons Bank Holiday Hours
Morrisons larger format stores generally operate 7am to 8pm on bank holiday Mondays. Daily and smaller stores may keep normal hours. Check via morrisons.com store locator.
Sainsbury's and M and S Bank Holiday Hours
Sainsbury's superstores typically open 8am to 8pm on bank holiday Mondays. Local and convenience formats keep extended hours in most cases. Marks and Spencer food halls vary by location - check via the M and S store finder at marksandspencer.com.
Are supermarkets open on bank holiday Monday?
Yes, most UK supermarkets open on bank holiday Mondays but operate reduced hours. Large stores typically run 8am to 8pm or 10am to 4pm. Smaller convenience formats often maintain standard hours.
Is Aldi open on bank holiday Monday?
Most Aldi stores in England and Wales open on bank holiday Monday, typically from 8am to 8pm, though some operate reduced 10am to 4pm hours. Check your local store via aldi.co.uk.
Does the Sunday Trading Act apply on bank holidays?
Bank holiday Mondays in England and Wales are not automatically subject to the Sunday Trading Act 1994 restrictions. However, many large retailers choose to operate reduced hours as a matter of commercial practice.
Is Tesco open today (26 May 2026)?
Most Tesco Superstores and Extra stores are open today (Spring Bank Holiday Monday) with hours typically 8am to 8pm. Check your specific store at tesco.com.
What time does Lidl close on bank holidays?
Lidl typically closes at 8pm on bank holiday Mondays for standard format stores, though some locations close at 4pm. Confirm via the Lidl store finder at lidl.co.uk.
