All UK supermarket opening times for Good Friday — including Tesco, M&S, Aldi

The Easter bank holiday weekend is finally here, bringing with it the promise of long lunches, chocolate eggs, and much-needed time with family. However, with the bank holiday comes the annual confusion over supermarket opening hours. Whether you have forgotten the hot cross buns or need to make a last-minute dash for a leg of lamb, knowing when your local store opens and closes is vital.

Good Friday serves as the official kickoff to the four-day weekend. While many businesses shut down, most major UK supermarkets remain open, albeit some with slightly adjusted schedules. Unlike Easter Sunday, which sees large stores in England and Wales close completely due to Sunday trading laws, Good Friday operates more like a standard working day or a slightly reduced bank holiday schedule.

To help you navigate the aisles without frustration, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to the opening times for the UK's biggest retailers, including Tesco, M&S, Aldi, Sainsbury's, and more. Here is everything you need to know to keep your Easter weekend running smoothly.

The Good Friday Shopping Rush: Why Preparation is Key

Imagine this: It is 10:00 AM on Good Friday. Sarah, a mother of three from Manchester, realizes she has forgotten the most important part of the family brunch—the eggs. Not the chocolate kind, but the actual eggs for the Shakshuka she promised. She jumps in the car, heart racing, wondering if her local Aldi is even open. She arrives to find a bustling car park but, thankfully, the doors are wide open.

Sarah's story is a common one. The bank holiday weekend often leads to a "panic buy" atmosphere. Good Friday is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year as households stock up for the long weekend ahead. Because stores are legally required to close on Easter Sunday (for those over 280 square meters), Friday and Saturday become the primary windows for fresh food shopping.

While most stores stay open on Good Friday, the specific hours can vary significantly depending on your location and the size of the store. Generally, convenience stores like Tesco Express or Sainsbury's Local stay open later than the massive Superstores. Furthermore, if you are shopping in Scotland, the rules are different, as Scottish trading laws are more relaxed on Easter Sunday, often affecting how retailers manage their staff across the entire weekend.

To ensure you aren't left standing in front of a locked sliding door, it is always recommended to use the official "Store Locator" tools on the supermarket websites. However, the following guide provides the general expectations for the major UK brands this Good Friday.

Detailed Opening Times for Major UK Supermarkets

Every retailer handles the bank holiday slightly differently. Some view it as a normal Friday, while others shave a few hours off the evening shift to allow staff to get home to their families. Here is the breakdown for the UK's top grocery chains.

Tesco

Tesco, the UK's largest grocer, typically maintains fairly consistent hours on Good Friday. Most of their large Superstores and Extra stores will operate under their normal Friday hours, which usually means opening at 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM and closing at 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM. However, some stores in quieter regions may close slightly earlier at 8:00 PM.

• Tesco Extra/Superstores: Generally 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
• Tesco Express: Most remain open until 11:00 PM or midnight, as these convenience hubs follow different regulations.

M&S Foodhall

Marks & Spencer is a favorite for Easter treats and high-quality roasts. For Good Friday, most M&S Foodhalls and larger stores attached to shopping centers will open as usual. You can expect doors to open at 8:00 AM and close around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Stores located inside major railway stations may have extended hours to cater to holiday travelers.

• High Street Stores: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
• Travel Hubs: Check local station timings, as some may stay open until 10:00 PM.

Aldi

The budget-friendly favorite, Aldi, has confirmed its opening hours for the Easter period. On Good Friday, Aldi stores across England and Wales will be open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This provides plenty of time for shoppers to grab those last-minute middle-aisle bargains and affordable Easter eggs.

• Standard Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's generally follows a similar pattern to Tesco. Most of their large supermarkets will be open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Good Friday. Their "Sainsbury's Local" convenience stores will likely maintain their standard 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM schedule, making them a safe bet for late-night emergencies.

• Supermarkets: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
• Sainsbury's Local: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

Asda

Asda is known for its 24-hour stores, but bank holidays can sometimes see these hours curtailed. For Good Friday, most Asda locations will be open from 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM and will close around 10:00 PM. If your local Asda is a 24-hour branch, it may close its doors at 10:00 PM on Friday and reopen early Saturday morning.

• Large Stores: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
• 24-Hour Locations: Likely to close at 10:00 PM on Good Friday.

Lidl

Like its rival Aldi, Lidl will remain open for the duration of Good Friday. Most stores will operate between 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM, though this can vary slightly based on the specific location and whether it is in a retail park or a residential area.

• Standard Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Morrisons

Morrisons stores will be open on Good Friday. Generally, you can expect their stores to open at 7:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM. Their petrol stations often have different hours, sometimes staying open later than the main shop.

• Main Stores: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
• Morrisons Daily: Usually 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

Waitrose

Waitrose hours are often the most varied. On Good Friday, most Waitrose & Partners shops will be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with some Little Waitrose convenience shops staying open until 10:00 PM. It is worth noting that Waitrose often closes entirely on Easter Sunday, so Friday is a crucial day for their customers.

• Core Stores: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
• Little Waitrose: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Essential Tips for Easter Weekend Shopping

While knowing the opening times is half the battle, navigating the bank holiday chaos requires a bit of strategy. The "middle of the day" surge is real. Between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, supermarkets tend to be at their most crowded. If you want a peaceful shopping experience, aim for the "golden hours"—either right when they open or in the final two hours before closing.

Here are some expert tips for a stress-free Good Friday shop:

• Check the App: Most supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's have live store locators in their apps that reflect real-time holiday changes.
• Click and Collect: If you hate the crowds, check if there are any remaining Click and Collect slots. However, these usually book up days in advance for the Easter weekend.
• The Easter Sunday Rule: Remember that in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, all stores over 280sqm MUST close on Easter Sunday. If you miss the Friday/Saturday window, you will be limited to small convenience stores and petrol stations.
• Stock Up on Freshness: Since stores close Sunday, buy your fresh vegetables and meats on Friday or Saturday morning to ensure they are at their best for the Sunday roast.
• Delivery Apps: If you are truly stuck, apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat now partner with Co-op, Waitrose, and Morrisons to deliver groceries in as little as 30 minutes.

Beyond the groceries, don't forget that other services might be affected. Post offices located inside supermarkets may close earlier than the store itself. Pharmacies located within Boots or large Superstores may also operate on a "duty" roster with reduced hours. If you need a specific prescription, call ahead to verify that a pharmacist will be on-site.

The bank holiday is a time for relaxation, but a little bit of planning goes a long way. By checking these opening times and planning your trip for the quieter periods of Good Friday, you can spend less time in queues and more time enjoying the festivities. Whether you're after the perfect chocolate egg or the ingredients for a family feast, the UK's retailers are ready to welcome you—just make sure you get there before the shutters go down!

Stay updated with the latest news and retail changes by bookmarking this guide, and have a very Happy Easter weekend!

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 Wallpapers

Collection of all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi wallpapers for your desktop and mobile devices.

Beautiful All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Landscape Digital Art

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Gorgeous All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Image in HD

This gorgeous all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi photo offers a breathtaking view, making it a perfect choice for your next wallpaper.

Vivid All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Abstract for Desktop

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Dynamic All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Artwork for Mobile

Immerse yourself in the stunning details of this beautiful all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi wallpaper, designed for a captivating visual experience.

Beautiful All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Scene in HD

Experience the crisp clarity of this stunning all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi image, available in high resolution for all your screens.

Dynamic All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Artwork Art

Find inspiration with this unique all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Vivid All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Landscape Photography

Explore this high-quality all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi image, perfect for enhancing your desktop or mobile wallpaper.

Amazing All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Picture Illustration

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Captivating All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Abstract in HD

Find inspiration with this unique all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

High-Quality All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Picture Photography

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Amazing All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Picture Nature

Experience the crisp clarity of this stunning all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi image, available in high resolution for all your screens.

Crisp All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Landscape Photography

Find inspiration with this unique all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Mesmerizing All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Moment Digital Art

Explore this high-quality all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi image, perfect for enhancing your desktop or mobile wallpaper.

Mesmerizing All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Capture Illustration

Transform your screen with this vivid all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi artwork, a true masterpiece of digital design.

Serene All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Scene for Mobile

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Spectacular All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Moment Concept

This gorgeous all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi photo offers a breathtaking view, making it a perfect choice for your next wallpaper.

Captivating All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Capture Digital Art

Immerse yourself in the stunning details of this beautiful all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi wallpaper, designed for a captivating visual experience.

Lush All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Design Concept

Find inspiration with this unique all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Captivating All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Design for Mobile

This gorgeous all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi photo offers a breathtaking view, making it a perfect choice for your next wallpaper.

High-Quality All Uk Supermarket Opening Times For Good Friday — Including Tesco, M&s, Aldi Scene Nature

Discover an amazing all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Download these all uk supermarket opening times for good friday — including tesco, m&s, aldi wallpapers for free and use them on your desktop or mobile devices.

Share this post