Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, has announced it will close all its stores in England for a full 24 hours on Easter Sunday. This move is in compliance with UK trading regulations, specifically the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which mandates that large shops must remain closed on Easter Sunday.
Easter Weekend Opening Hours Across the UK
During the Easter weekend, Tesco's opening hours will vary significantly across different regions of the United Kingdom. On Good Friday, most Tesco stores in England, Wales, and the Isle of Man will operate from 6am to 10pm. Extra and Express stores will maintain their normal hours, with large Express stores also open from 6am to 10pm, while standard Express stores run as usual.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, stores will be open as normal on Good Friday, reflecting the different legal frameworks in these nations. No changes have been announced for Easter Saturday, with all stores expected to operate under their standard schedules.
Easter Sunday Closures and Exceptions
On Easter Sunday, all Tesco stores in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be closed entirely. In the Isle of Man, stores will open from 8am to 10pm, providing a contrast to the mainland closures. Scotland sees a mixed approach: while most stores open as normal, large Express stores will be closed, and standard Express stores will operate normally.
This closure is enforced by the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which defines large shops as those over 280 square metres or 3,000 square feet. These large shops are prohibited from trading on Easter Sunday, while smaller shops face fewer restrictions.
Easter Monday Operations
On Easter Monday, Tesco stores in England, Wales, and the Isle of Man will open from 8am to 6pm. In Northern Ireland, hours extend from 8am to 8pm. Scotland will see normal operations, with large Express stores open from 8am to 6pm and standard Express stores running as usual.
Tesco's main competitors, including Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Lidl, Asda, and Aldi, are also subject to similar trading laws, though their specific Easter schedules may vary. The Sunday Trading Act 1994 regulates Sunday shop opening in England and Wales, with no equivalent in Scotland but similar rules in Northern Ireland, allowing for six continuous hours of trading between 10am and 6pm on typical Sundays.
