As the August Bank Holiday Monday (August 31, 2026) approaches, shoppers across the UK are advised to check opening hours before heading out. Most major supermarket chains will operate reduced or altered hours on the day, while some convenience stores remain open as usual. Exact timings vary by region, with Scotland and Northern Ireland often keeping standard trading hours compared with England and Wales.
Lidl and Aldi: Regional Variations and Quieter Times
Lidl has confirmed that all its stores in Scotland and those inside the M25 will remain open as normal. Most stores outside the M25 and in Wales will operate under slightly reduced hours of 8am to 8pm. A spokesperson said: “Our store opening hours for the Summer Bank Holiday are as follows: All our stores in Scotland and those inside the M25 will remain open as normal. Most stores outside the M25 and in Wales will operate under slightly reduced hours of 8am-8pm. We encourage customers to check their local store's opening hours on the online store finder or through the Lidl Plus app before they make their journey.”
Aldi stores across England and Wales will generally be open from 8am to 8pm on bank holiday Monday. Stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland will keep normal trading hours, though timings may vary locally. Aldi suggests avoiding peak rush periods, with data from last year showing the quietest shopping times were 8am-9am and 7pm-8pm. Rachel Geary, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “Whether shoppers are stocking up for a barbecue, getting together with family and friends or picking up some last-minute essentials, we want to make their bank holiday shop as easy as possible. For anyone looking to beat the bank holiday rush, heading to stores first thing in the morning or later in the evening is likely to mean a quieter shop.”
Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons: What to Expect
Tesco opening times will vary by location. Most large stores and larger Express branches in England and Wales are expected to operate 8am-6pm. Stores in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man will largely keep normal hours, while standard Express stores and petrol stations are not expected to change. Customers are advised to check their local store using Tesco's online store locator before travelling.
Most Sainsbury's supermarkets will open 7am-8pm on the bank holiday. Convenience stores are expected to operate normal hours of 7am-11pm, although this can vary by location. A spokesperson said: “The vast majority of our supermarkets will be open from 7am until 8pm on bank holiday Monday. Our convenience stores will be open as usual from 7am to 11pm. Opening hours can vary though, so we advise customers to check our store locator for the latest details for their area.” Argos, which is owned by Sainsbury's, said most branches will open from 9am to 8pm or align with their host store or shopping centre hours, depending on location.
Morrisons stores in England and Wales are expected to open 7am-8pm, while Scottish stores will operate normal hours. A spokesperson said: “Our Scottish supermarkets are open as usual and our English and Welsh stores are open from 7am to 8pm. We'd always recommend customers use our store finder to check their local store's opening hours.”
Asda, Co-op, Iceland and Waitrose: Hours and Advice
Asda says most larger stores will open at usual times, but some variations may apply depending on location. A spokesperson said: “Most of our larger stores are open at their usual times this weekend, but this may vary across our estate. You can check individual store opening times using our store locator.”
Co-op stores will remain open as usual across the bank holiday. A spokesperson said: “Our stores will be open as usual over the bank holiday to serve our communities, which for a convenience store is typically 7am-10pm.” Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores will also remain open as normal. A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that all Iceland and The Food Warehouse stores will be open as usual across the August Bank Holiday, with standard opening hours in place across all locations.” They added that some shopping centre locations may be subject to separate restrictions.
Waitrose stores may operate reduced or varied hours depending on location. A spokesperson said: “Some of our Waitrose and John Lewis branches may open on reduced hours. We advise that customers check times of individual shops by using the branch finder page on our website.” Shoppers are strongly advised to verify their local store's hours online before setting off, as times may vary by branch and region.
