Full list of supermarkets with shops OPEN on Easter Sunday under loophole as thousands shut for 24 hours this weekend
SHOPPERS have been left delighted as dozens of supermarkets reveal they will remain open on Easter Sunday thanks to one nifty loophole.
It is extremely common for retailers to alter their opening hours during bank holiday weekends, to allow customers a well earned break.
And larger supermarkets 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 supermarket opening times on Sundays, with larger supermarkets only allowed to open for six consecutive hours, between 10am and 6pm.
So, if you're planning on putting on an Easter spread, or doing an egg hunt for the kids, it's best to get everything in well before the Easter weekend.
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Shops trading on Sunday
Shops exempt from the Sunday trading restrictions for large shops include:
- airport and railway station outlets
- service station outlets
- registered pharmacies selling only medicinal products and medical and surgical appliances
- farms selling mainly their own produce
- outlets wholly or mainly selling motor or bicycle supplies and accessories
- suppliers of goods to aircraft or sea-going vessels on arrival at, or departure from, a port, harbour or airport
- exhibition stands selling goods
However, don't fret if you have forgotten anything as there are some exemptions to the rule which mean you will still be able to nip out for any last-minute essentials.
Here we have compiled a full list of the shops that will remain open on Easter Sunday.
Co-op
Most Co-op stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will remain open on Easter Sunday but will operate shorter opening hours.
Shoppers have been advised to check the store's website to find out the full opening and closing times.
Waitrose
Most Waitrose stores will be shut on Easter Sunday except for a handful of Little Waitrose shops that will remain open.
It is advised to check the supermarket's website for further details.
M&S
Most of its shops will be shut on Easter Sunday so shoppers will need to grab any last-minute Easter bits before then.
However a small number of stores will be open between 9am and 6pm.
These include some of the Simply Food and Food to Go stores often found in train and petrol stations.
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."
Sainsbury's
Although the majority of Sainbury's stores will be shut on Sunday, some of its convenience stores will remain open for any last minute purchases.
These will be open as usual from 7am to 10pm.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury's said: "The vast majority of our supermarkets will be open from 7am until 10pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
"Our convenience stores will be open as usual from 7am to 10pm.
"On Easter Sunday, all of our supermarkets will be closed in the UK, apart from in Scotland where stores will open in line with Sunday trading hours."
Tesco
The majority of large Express stores across England, Wales, and Isle of Man will be open from 8am - 6pm, while there will be no changes for Express stores.
Shoppers can find their local opening times using the Tesco store locator on its website.
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Nisa
The convenience store chain will be open on Easter Sunday across the UK.
Shoppers are urged to check the corner shop's website for more details on opening times as these will differ across stores.
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.