Quick Answer
Yes, most shops in the UK are open on Good Friday 2026. The holiday falls onFriday, 3 April 2026. Major supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Asda,Morrisons, and Waitrose typically remain open, although many operate onreduced Bank Holiday hours. High street stores and shopping centres usually stay open,but banks and some Post Office branches may be closed.
Key Takeaways
- Most supermarkets remain open on Good Friday.
- Stores may operate slightly reduced Bank Holiday hours.
- Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Lidl, and Morrisons usually trade.
- Large shops must close on Easter Sunday, not Good Friday.
- Banks and some Post Office branches are typically closed.
When Is Good Friday in 2026?
In 2026, Good Friday falls on Friday, 3 April. It marks the start of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in the UK.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | 5 April 2026 |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 |
Bank holidays often raise an important question for shoppers across the United Kingdom: are shops open on Good Friday? With Easter weekend being one of the busiest retail periods of the spring season, many households plan grocery shopping, family gatherings, and holiday preparations around this day.
For Good Friday 2026, which falls on Friday, 3 April, most major supermarkets and high-street retailers across the UK are expected to remain open, though many operate Bank Holiday hours rather than standard weekday schedules. In most cases, stores may open slightly later or close earlier than usual, typically operating between 8 am and 8 pm, although exact hours vary depending on the retailer and the location.
Unlike Easter Sunday, there are no legal trading restrictions that require large shops to close on Good Friday in England and Wales. Because of this, major retailers such as Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons typically stay open to accommodate shoppers preparing for the long Easter weekend.
Retail experts often describe Good Friday as a significant shopping day in the UK calendar. According to insights frequently shared by analysts from the British Retail Consortium (BRC):
“Good Friday acts as a bridge day for UK retail. While it is a public holiday, the lack of trading restrictions makes it one of the busiest shopping days before Easter Sunday closures.”
This guide explains whether shops are open on Good Friday 2026, expected supermarket opening hours, high street store availability, and the laws that influence Easter weekend trading in the UK.
Are Supermarkets Open on Good Friday 2026?
Most supermarkets across the UK remain open on Good Friday, although many operate slightly reduced hours to reflect the Bank Holiday.
For shoppers preparing Easter meals or weekend gatherings, Good Friday often becomes an essential shopping day. Retail data frequently shows that footfall tends to peak between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, when families complete their grocery shopping before the weekend continues.
Industry analysts have observed that Good Friday often ranks among the busiest grocery shopping days during the Easter period. This is particularly true because supermarkets remain open on Friday while large stores must close on Easter Sunday in England and Wales.
To help shoppers plan their visits, the table below provides a general guide to supermarket opening times.
| Retailer | Good Friday Status | Estimated Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco Superstores | OPEN | 06:00 – 22:00 |
| Aldi | OPEN | 08:00 – 20:00 |
| Morrisons | OPEN | 07:00 – 21:00 |
| Waitrose | OPEN | 08:00 – 20:00 |
| Sainsbury’s | OPEN | 07:00 – 21:00 |
| Asda | OPEN | 06:00 – 22:00 |
| Post Office | Mostly Closed | Limited branches open |
These times represent typical expectations rather than confirmed schedules, as individual stores may adjust opening hours depending on local demand or staffing.
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda Hours
Large national supermarket chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda usually remain open on Good Friday with slightly modified holiday hours.
In many locations across the UK:
- Tesco Superstores open early in the morning and close later in the evening.
- Sainsbury’s supermarkets often operate similar hours to a standard weekday.
- Asda stores generally maintain extended opening hours, depending on the size of the store.
Convenience branches such as Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local often operate normal hours, meaning they may remain open later into the evening.
Retail analysts often highlight the importance of these supermarkets during Easter weekend because many families use Good Friday to purchase fresh ingredients, desserts, and last-minute groceries for Easter celebrations.
Budget Favourites: Aldi and Lidl Good Friday Schedule
Budget supermarket chains such as Aldi and Lidl are also expected to remain open on Good Friday, although they usually follow slightly reduced holiday schedules compared with regular weekdays.
Typical expectations include:
- Aldi stores: around 8 am to 8 pm
- Lidl stores: around 8 am to 9 pm
These retailers often experience particularly high footfall during holiday weekends, largely due to their competitive pricing and seasonal promotions.
Many shoppers visit Aldi or Lidl to purchase Easter chocolates, baking ingredients, and fresh produce at lower prices compared with premium supermarkets.
Waitrose and M&S Foodhall Availability
Premium grocery retailers such as Waitrose & Partners and Marks & Spencer generally remain open on Good Friday as well.
Typical hours may include:
- Waitrose supermarkets: approximately 8 am – 8 pm
- M&S Foodhall locations: approximately 8 am – 9 pm
These supermarkets often see increased demand for high-quality Easter desserts, luxury chocolates, prepared meals, and speciality ingredients.
A retail operations manager quoted in industry commentary explained:
“Good Friday shopping often focuses on premium food products. Customers tend to purchase desserts, fresh bakery items, and ingredients for Easter Sunday meals.”
Because many families host gatherings during Easter weekend, these supermarkets can experience higher-than-average sales during the Bank Holiday period.
Are High Street Stores and Shopping Centres Open on Good Friday?
Yes, most high street stores and shopping centres across the UK remain open on Good Friday, though they usually follow Bank Holiday operating hours.
Unlike Easter Sunday, when trading laws restrict large retailers from opening, Good Friday allows shops to operate normally. This flexibility means shopping centres and high street businesses can continue trading during the holiday.
Typical Bank Holiday hours include:
- Shopping centres: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Retail chains: similar to weekend hours
- Restaurants and cinemas: often open later in the evening
For many cities, Good Friday marks the beginning of a busy retail weekend, with families combining shopping trips with dining and leisure activities.
Major Malls: Westfield, Bluewater, and Trafford Centre
Some of the UK’s largest retail destinations remain open during the Good Friday Bank Holiday.
Popular examples include:
- Westfield London
- Bluewater Shopping Centre
- Trafford Centre
These shopping centres typically operate holiday schedules rather than closing completely.
Typical Good Friday opening hours may include:
- Retail stores: 10 am – 8 pm
- Restaurants and entertainment venues: open until late evening
Because many families begin Easter weekend activities on Friday, these centres often experience significant increases in visitor numbers.
DIY and Home Stores: B&Q, Wickes, and Homebase
Home improvement retailers generally remain open on Good Friday.
Popular DIY stores such as:
- B&Q
- Wickes
- Homebase
often operate close to normal hours during the Bank Holiday.
Many homeowners use the long Easter weekend to begin spring renovation projects, gardening, or home maintenance tasks, which makes these stores particularly busy during the holiday period.
Typical opening hours range between 7 am and 8 pm, though this can vary by location.
Fashion Retailers: Primark, Zara, and Next
Fashion retailers generally remain open on Good Friday and often operate according to shopping centre opening hours.
Major clothing brands such as:
- Primark
- Zara
- Next
typically welcome shoppers throughout the day.
Spring collections and seasonal promotions often attract shoppers preparing for Easter events, family gatherings, or holiday travel.
Because Good Friday begins a long weekend for many people, fashion retailers often benefit from increased customer traffic.
Why Is Good Friday Different from Easter Sunday for Shop Opening?
Many shoppers wonder why shops remain open on Good Friday while large stores must close on Easter Sunday.
The explanation lies in the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which regulates opening hours for large stores in England and Wales.
Confirmed Fact
Large shops larger than 280 square metres must close on Easter Sunday.
What the Law Does Not Require?
Good Friday does not fall under the same trading restrictions, meaning retailers are free to open.
Common Misconception
Some people assume that Good Friday requires shops to close. However, there is no law requiring closure on this day.
Retail law specialists frequently clarify this distinction.
“The key difference is that Sunday trading laws apply to Easter Sunday, not Good Friday. Retailers therefore have flexibility to open as they would on other Bank Holidays.”
Are Banks and Post Offices Open on Good Friday?
Although most shops remain open, many public services operate differently on Good Friday.
Banks
Most high street banks close on Good Friday because it is an official UK bank holiday.
Customers may still access services such as online banking, mobile banking apps, and cash machines, but in-person branch services are usually unavailable.
Post Offices
Branches operated by Post Office Ltd may close for the day, although some branches located within convenience stores may remain open.
Delivery Services
Postal and courier services may operate reduced schedules, depending on the provider.
Conclusion
So, are shops open on Good Friday 2026? For most shoppers in the United Kingdom, the answer is yes.
Major supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Asda typically remain open on Friday, 3 April 2026. High street stores and shopping centres also remain accessible, although many operate Bank Holiday hours rather than standard weekday schedules.
However, services such as banks and some Post Office branches usually close for the holiday.
Because opening hours can vary between locations, shoppers are encouraged to check official store websites or branch locators before visiting.
FAQs About Shops Open on Good Friday 2026
Is Good Friday a bank holiday in the UK?
Yes. Good Friday is an official bank holiday across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, which means many government services and banks close.
Are supermarkets closed on Good Friday in the UK?
No. Most supermarkets remain open, although they may operate slightly reduced Bank Holiday hours.
Do Tesco stores open on Good Friday?
Yes. Most Tesco supermarkets open on Good Friday, though exact hours vary depending on the store.
Are Aldi stores open on Good Friday?
Yes. Aldi stores generally open on Good Friday but may close earlier than usual.
Are shopping centres open on Good Friday in London?
Yes. Most shopping centres remain open and typically operate Bank Holiday trading hours.
Do convenience stores close on Good Friday?
No. Smaller convenience stores often remain open and may operate normal hours.
Are pharmacies open on Good Friday?
Many pharmacies remain open but may operate reduced holiday hours, so it is best to check local listings.