Are Shops Open on Easter Sunday? UK & Ireland Opening Hours 2026

Easter Sunday is one of those days when grabbing a carton of milk or a loaf of bread can feel like a small mission. In the UK and Ireland, the rules about what stays open and what shuts down vary widely, and Easter Sunday 2026 (5 April) brings a familiar pattern: large supermarkets in England and Wales are legally required to close, while Scotland and Northern Ireland follow different rules.

Large supermarkets in England & Wales: Closed · Scottish supermarkets: Open as normal · Easter Sunday 2026: 5 April 2026

Are any shops open on Easter Sunday in the UK?

Yes, but the answer depends on where you live and what kind of shop you need. In England and Wales, the law restricts large shops (over 280 square metres) from opening on Easter Sunday, so most major supermarkets shut their doors. However, smaller convenience stores, Co-op branches, and shops in Scotland keep normal hours. The same 280-square-metre Sunday trading restriction is the basis for most large-supermarket closures on Easter Sunday in England and Wales, according to Good Housekeeping UK.

What are the typical opening hours for UK supermarkets on Easter Sunday?

• Large supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Waitrose) in England and Wales: closed.
• Scottish stores: open as normal, often 8am–10pm.
• Convenience stores (e.g., Co-op, Sainsbury’s Local): open, but verify locally.

The implication: shoppers face a hard split by geography and store size, not by brand loyalty.

Are there any shops that are closed?

Most large supermarkets in England and Wales are closed, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, M&S and Waitrose, as reported by thinkmoney. The closure is a legal requirement for stores over 280 square metres, not a voluntary choice.

Is M&S closed on Easter Sunday?

Marks & Spencer large stores are expected to be closed on Easter Sunday 2026, according to Manchester Evening News. However, the chain has not published an official confirmation for 2026 at the time of writing. Some M&S Foodhalls in service stations or city centres may operate different hours, but nothing is guaranteed.

What is M&S’s policy on Easter Sunday opening?

Based on historical data and media reports, M&S typically closes its large stores on Easter Sunday. The policy aligns with the legal restriction for large shops in England and Wales.

Are there any exceptions?

M&S branches in Scotland are likely to open as normal. Also, Little Waitrose convenience stores may follow different rules, but no official list has been confirmed.

What this means: without official word from M&S, treat the closure as likely but not guaranteed at every location.

Is Tesco open on Easter Sunday in the UK?

Tesco’s large stores in England and Wales are expected to be closed, while Scottish Tesco stores will operate 8am to 10pm, according to The Mirror. Tesco Express stores in England and Wales may stay open, but hours could be reduced.

What are Tesco’s Easter Sunday opening hours?

• England & Wales large stores: closed.
• Scotland: 8am–10pm.
• Northern Ireland: likely closed for large stores, but check local listings.
• Tesco Express: may open, but not guaranteed.

Do all Tesco stores follow the same schedule?

No. The variation is driven by geography: Scotland is exempt from the Easter Sunday trading restriction, so Tesco there operates normally. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the large-format stores are shut.

The pattern: Tesco’s Easter Sunday schedule mirrors the legal carve-outs, not a single corporate policy.

Are shops open on Easter Sunday in Ireland?

In Ireland (Republic of Ireland), Easter Sunday is not a full public holiday in the same way as Christmas Day, but many supermarkets still adjust their hours. Lidl Ireland opens 09:00–18:00 (official), while Aldi Ireland is closed, according to community reports. Dunnes Stores and SuperValu hours vary by location.

What are the opening hours for major supermarkets in Ireland?

The implication: Ireland presents a more fragmented picture, with no single rule covering all chains.

Are there any shops that are closed on Easter Sunday in Ireland?

Aldi Ireland appears to be closed, while Lidl operates reduced hours. Many smaller convenience stores and newsagents stay open, but large supermarkets are not uniformly closed – the decision is at the chain’s discretion.

Is SuperValu open on Easter Sunday?

SuperValu typically opens with reduced hours on Easter Sunday, often 9am–6pm, but this can vary by franchise. The best approach is to check your local SuperValu’s website or the store’s Facebook page for the exact schedule.

What are SuperValu’s Easter Sunday opening hours?

No official chain-wide hours are published for Easter Sunday at the time of writing. Historical patterns suggest many stores open 9am–6pm, but some may open later or close earlier. The variation is due to SuperValu’s franchise model, where individual store owners set their own hours.

Are all SuperValu stores open?

Not necessarily. Some SuperValu stores in smaller towns or tourist areas may choose to close entirely. Always check locally before relying on a visit.

The catch: franchise discretion means shoppers cannot assume a SuperValu will be open, even within the same city.

Large shops in England and Wales over 280 square metres are legally required to close on Easter Sunday.

— Country Living UK

On the Isle of Man, Easter Sunday trading hours are 8am to 10pm.

— The Independent

For shoppers in England and Wales, the Easter Sunday reality is simple: the big supermarkets are closed, and the convenience shop is your only option. In Scotland, it’s business as usual. For those in Ireland, Lidl offers a reliable 9am–6pm window, but Aldi customers need to plan ahead. The trade-off means shoppers across the UK and Ireland must adjust their routines based on local laws and individual chain decisions.