All UK supermarket opening times for Good Friday — including Tesco, M&S, Aldi
All UK supermarket opening times for Good Friday — including Tesco, M&S, Aldi
As the Easter bank holiday weekend approaches, millions of shoppers across the United Kingdom are preparing for festive gatherings and family meals. Knowing the latest opening hours is essential to avoid arriving at locked doors. Most major retailers, including Tesco, M&S, and Aldi, will remain open on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, though many will operate under slightly reduced or bank holiday hours compared to their standard Friday schedule. While Easter Sunday remains the only day with mandatory large-store closures in England and Wales, Good Friday serves as the kickoff for a weekend of adjusted trading times.
For those searching for a quick reference: most large UK supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's will open from 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM on Good Friday. Budget favorites like Aldi and Lidl typically operate from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. High-end retailers like M&S and Waitrose generally open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. However, shoppers in Scotland and Northern Ireland may find stores maintaining standard operating hours as trading laws differ in those regions.
The Importance of Checking Store Locators for Easter 2026
With the 2026 Easter weekend falling in early April, the dynamic nature of retail staffing and local demand means that "standard" hours are often just a guideline. Major chains have invested heavily in digital store locators to provide real-time updates. Whether you are looking for a massive Tesco Extra or a local Co-op convenience store, the specific location can influence whether the shop closes at 8:00 PM or stays open until midnight. This is particularly true for Good Friday, which is a public bank holiday, allowing businesses to adjust their labor costs and give employees additional time off.
In addition to staffing, the type of store matters. "Express" or "Local" branches often follow different rules than the giant superstores. While a large Asda might shut its doors early on Friday evening, an Asda Express at a petrol station is likely to remain open 24 hours. Always prioritize checking the specific app or website for your local branch to ensure your trip is successful.
Tesco Good Friday Opening Hours: Superstores vs. Express
Tesco, the UK's largest grocer, typically maintains a robust schedule for Good Friday. For 2026, the majority of Tesco Superstores and Extras in England and Wales are expected to open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This provides ample time for those needing to stock up on lamb roasts and hot cross buns. In Scotland, where bank holiday traditions differ slightly, many stores will maintain their normal Friday hours, which often extend until midnight for larger branches.
Tesco Express stores are the heroes of the bank holiday weekend. These smaller convenience hubs usually ignore the bank holiday reductions entirely, remaining open from 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM. If you find yourself missing a vital ingredient for your Good Friday dinner, the local Express is your most reliable bet. However, always be aware that "Large Express" stores—those that sit between a superstore and a small local shop—may occasionally follow the 10:00 PM closing rule.
Aldi and Lidl: Budget Shopping on the Bank Holiday
The German discounters have become staples of the British high street, and their Easter hours are generally straightforward. Aldi has confirmed that for Good Friday 2026, most stores will open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This is consistent with their approach to providing maximum accessibility for budget-conscious families. Aldi is known for its "Middle of Aldi" Easter specials, and Good Friday is often the last chance to grab these items before the Sunday closure.
Lidl follows a very similar pattern to Aldi. Expect doors to open at 8:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM across much of England and Wales. In Scotland, Lidl stores often stay open even later, sometimes until 11:00 PM, reflecting the different regulatory environment. Because Lidl and Aldi do not operate "Express" versions of their stores, these hours apply universally to almost all their locations, making them easier to predict than their larger competitors.
M&S Food Hall and Waitrose: Premium Easter Hours
For those looking for premium treats and high-quality meal deals, M&S and Waitrose are the top destinations. Marks & Spencer typically operates on a slightly shorter window during bank holidays. On Good Friday, most M&S Food Halls and full-line stores will open at 8:00 AM and close their doors by 8:00 PM. Some locations in major city centers or train stations may stay open later to accommodate commuters and travelers.
Waitrose also tends to favor the 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM window for Good Friday. John Lewis Partnership partners often receive specific holiday benefits, leading to these slightly more restricted hours compared to Tesco or Asda. Interestingly, Waitrose stores located within Shell petrol stations will continue to operate on a 24-hour basis or follow the specific station’s schedule, providing a premium option for late-night essentials.
Major Supermarket Opening Times Comparison Table
To help you visualize the differences between the major retailers, we have compiled a comparison of the typical expected hours for Good Friday across the United Kingdom. Note that these are "most common" hours and local variations will exist.
| Supermarket Chain | Expected Good Friday Hours (Most Stores) |
|---|---|
| Tesco (Superstores) | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Asda (Large Stores) | 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Sainsbury's (Supermarkets) | 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Aldi | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Lidl | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Morrisons | 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| M&S Food | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Waitrose | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons: Regional Differences
Sainsbury's is often the most flexible of the "Big Four" when it comes to late-night shopping. On Good Friday, many Sainsbury's Supermarkets will maintain their 11:00 PM closing time, though some may drop back to 10:00 PM. Their "Sainsbury's Local" stores almost always stay open until 11:00 PM, regardless of the bank holiday status. This makes Sainsbury's a primary choice for those who work late or prefer to shop when the aisles are quieter.
Morrisons generally aligns its Good Friday hours with the 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM window. However, Morrisons has a significant presence in Scotland, where stores may not see any reduction in hours at all. Additionally, Morrisons Daily—the brand's convenience arm—is often found in franchise locations like petrol stations, which frequently operate 24/7. If you are near a Morrisons superstore, it is worth noting that their fresh market counters (butchers, fishmongers) might close slightly earlier than the main store on a bank holiday.
Asda and Co-op: Convenience and 24-Hour Options
Asda is historically known for its 24-hour stores, but many of these have shifted to 6:00 AM – midnight schedules in recent years. For Good Friday 2026, expect large Asda stores to operate between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Asda’s recent expansion into the convenience sector with "Asda Express" means there are now hundreds of smaller locations that will stay open until 11:00 PM or later, ensuring that even late-night shoppers are catered to.
The Co-op is arguably the most accessible retailer in the UK due to its sheer number of community-based locations. Co-op stores typically do not change their hours for Good Friday. If your local Co-op usually opens from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, it is highly likely to do the same on this bank holiday. Their focus on "top-up" shopping makes them the go-to for bread, milk, and the inevitable last-minute Easter egg purchase.
Shopping Tips for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend
The days leading up to Easter Sunday are some of the busiest in the retail calendar. To make your Good Friday shopping experience as smooth as possible, consider the following strategies:
- Shop Early: The 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM window is usually the quietest time on Good Friday. By midday, most stores will be crowded with families starting their long weekend.
- Check the App: Chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s have live data in their apps that can sometimes indicate how busy a store is.
- Stock Up on Thursday: If you want to avoid the bank holiday crowds entirely, Thursday evening is the best time to finish your big shop.
- Remember the Sunday Rule: In England and Wales, all stores over 280 square meters MUST close on Easter Sunday. Good Friday and Saturday are your only windows for a full supermarket shop.
- Click and Collect: Many stores offer Click and Collect slots on Good Friday, allowing you to avoid the checkout queues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are all supermarkets open on Good Friday?
Yes, the vast majority of UK supermarkets are open on Good Friday. Unlike Easter Sunday, there are no legal requirements for large stores to close on Good Friday, though many choose to operate on slightly reduced bank holiday hours.
2. Does Tesco open at the same time on Good Friday?
Most Tesco Superstores open at their usual time (6:00 AM or 7:00 AM) but may close earlier, typically at 10:00 PM. Tesco Express stores usually maintain their standard 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM schedule.
3. Is Aldi open later on Good Friday?
Aldi stores generally open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Good Friday. They do not typically stay open later than 10:00 PM on any day of the week.
4. Will M&S be open for food shopping on Good Friday?
Yes, M&S Food Halls and most M&S stores will be open. Common hours are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, but you should check the M&S store finder for city-specific variations.
5. Do supermarket hours differ in Scotland for Good Friday?
Yes, Scottish trading laws are different, and Good Friday is not always treated with the same retail restrictions as in England and Wales. Many Scottish stores will maintain entirely normal Friday hours.
Conclusion
Navigating the UK supermarket opening times for Good Friday doesn't have to be a challenge if you plan ahead. While the big names like Tesco, M&S, and Aldi will all be ready to serve you, the slight shift in closing times—often to 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM—means that leaving your shopping until the last minute could result in a wasted trip. By utilizing store locators and understanding the difference between superstores and convenience branches, you can ensure your Easter weekend gets off to a perfect start with a fully stocked fridge and all the seasonal treats your family enjoys.
All UK supermarket opening times for Good Friday — including Tesco, M&S, Aldi
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