The approaching late May bank holiday offers Britons a welcome respite—a Monday away from work ripe for relaxation or, for many, the practical task of grocery shopping. However, those planning to use this extra day for stocking up their kitchens need to plan carefully. Across the country, major supermarkets will be adjusting their hours, with many opening later and closing earlier than usual. To avoid any last-minute frustration or locked doors, it’s wise to check the specific times for your local store before heading out. This guide consolidates the announced hours for key retailers like Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer for Monday, May 25, helping you navigate the bank holiday shopping landscape.
For the budget-conscious shopper, the discount giants Aldi and Lidl have clear plans. Aldi nationwide will operate a condensed schedule, opening from 8am until 8pm. The chain encourages customers to see the day as an opportunity for gatherings and good food, a sentiment echoed by many looking forward to the long weekend. Lidl’s hours vary by region: stores outside the M25 and in Wales will trade from 8am to 10pm, while branches within London and in Scotland are expected to run on their normal schedules. As with all stores, Lidl recommends using their online store locator for the most precise, up-to-date information for your specific branch.
The larger full-range supermarkets have similarly adapted their hours for the holiday. Asda has announced that its main supermarkets will open from 8am to 8pm on Monday. Its Asda Express convenience sites, however, will largely maintain their usual extended hours, many operating 24 hours or until late night, providing a useful option for those needing items outside the core daytime window. Sainsbury’s follows a similar pattern: most of its large supermarkets will also run from 8am to 8pm, while its Sainsbury’s Local convenience stores will stick to their regular hours, typically 7am until 11pm, offering greater flexibility.
Morrisons and Tesco, two of the UK’s most prominent grocery chains, require a bit more attention due to regional variations. Most large Morrisons stores in England and Wales will open from 7am until 8pm, though the company cautions that some individual branches may close earlier depending on local factors. Their Morrisons Daily convenience shops will not change their schedules. Tesco, as the nation’s biggest supermarket, has a more complex arrangement. In England and Wales, most large stores and large Express branches will trade from 8am until 6pm. In Scotland, large Express branches will operate from 7am to 10pm, while in Northern Ireland, most large stores and large Express branches will maintain standard hours. Its standard (smaller) Express stores nationwide will see no changes. Given this diversity, Tesco strongly advises customers to use their online store locator tool to confirm the exact times for their local shop.
For those seeking a more curated grocery experience, Marks & Spencer’s food halls will adopt a slightly later and shorter schedule. They will open at 8:30am and close at 6pm on bank holiday Monday, a window that is somewhat more limited than some of its rivals. This makes an advance check particularly important for M&S shoppers to ensure they can visit within the adjusted timeframe.
Ultimately, the late May bank holiday is a gift of time—whether for leisure or for necessities. By taking a moment to verify the opening hours of your chosen supermarket online before you set out, you can ensure that your shopping trip is smooth and efficient. This small piece of planning allows you to seamlessly integrate the practical task of replenishing your home with the greater pleasure of enjoying a long, relaxed weekend with friends and family, making the most of the extended break without any unnecessary hassle.
