It’s May, meaning spring has officially started and the weather is beginning to warm up. Just under halfway through the year, this pre-summer season is an exciting time for Brits who have been fed up with the last few months of cold.
The UK has two bank holidays in May, following on from another two over the Easter weekend last month.
These are the Early May bank holiday on 4 May, and the spring bank holiday on 25 May. Both of these days always fall on a Monday, meaning a welcome three-day weekend for many workers.
Either can be a good time to host or visit family and friends, get away for the weekend, or even just head outside for a barbecue.
But those looking to stock up for the events need to be aware that the bank holidays bring a lot of change to the country, not least in affecting the opening hours of the biggest supermarkets.
To help you prepare, here are the typical opening hours for the UK’s largest stores:
Sainsbury’s
- 4 May: 8am – 8pm
- 25 May: 8am – 8pm
- Smaller stores: Most Sainsbury’s Local stores will stay open from 7am – 11pm
Tesco
- 4 May: 8am – 6pm
- 25 May: 8am – 6pm
- Smaller stores: Tesco Express stores usually operate normal hours (typically 6am – 11pm)
Asda
- 4 May: 8am – 8pm
- 25 May: 8am – 8pm
- Smaller stores: Asda Express locations generally remain open 24 hours or until their usual late-night closing
Lidl
- 4 May: 8am – 8pm (some stores in Greater London open until 10:00pm)
- 25 May: 8am – 8pm (some stores in Greater London open until 10:00pm)
Aldi
- 4 May: 8am – 8pm
- 25 May: 8am – 8pm
M&S
- 4 May: 9am – 6pm
- 25 May: 9am – 6pm
- Smaller stores: M&S stores in travel hubs (stations/airports) and garages usually maintain normal hours
Waitrose
- 4 May: 8am – 6pm (Some larger branches may vary)
- 25 May: 8am – 6pm
- Smaller stores: Little Waitrose usually open until 10 or 11pm
Co-op
- 4 May: 8am – 8pm (Main stores)
- 25 May: 8am – 8pm (Main stores)
- Smaller stores: Convenience branches usually stay open until 10pm or 11pm
Morrisons
- 4 May: 7am – 8pm
- 25 May: 7am – 8pm
- Smaller stores: Morrisons Daily stores typically stay open until 10pm or 11pm
Iceland
- 4 May: 8am – 7pm
- 25 May: 8am – 7pm
