Sainsbury’s confirms 500 branches to close early this Monday – how to check your store’s times

SAINSBURY’S has confirmed that it will be closing over 500 UK stores early next Monday.

Several major supermarkets will be reducing their hours over the Early May bank holiday, which coincides with VE Day 2025.

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It is extremely common for retailers to alter their opening hours during bank holiday weekends, to allow customers a well-earned break.

Bosses at Sainsbury’s confirmed the retailer will close all of its supermarkets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland early on Monday, May 5.

All the stores will pull down the shutters at 8pm.

But don’t fret if you do end up forgetting to buy something.

Sainsbury’s Locals and the branches in Scotland will remain open as usual till 11.

A spokesperson said: “The vast majority of our supermarkets will be open from 8am until 8pm on bank holiday Monday. Our convenience stores will be open as usual from 7am to 11pm.”

Meanwhile, other UK supermarkets have also revealed their store timings for the Early May bank holiday.

Most of Tesco’s stores will retain their regular opening hours on May 5, 2025.

In England, this means they will open at 8am before shutting again at 6pm.

Tesco’s Scotland stores will remain open until 8pm, where the chain’s Northern Irish branches will close at 6pm.

Opening times for Tesco’s Express stores vary, so you will need to ask in-store for more details.

Alternatively, you can check the Tesco app for more details.

Asda

Asda will not be adjusting their opening hours over the bank holiday, meaning that customers can shop with ease on May 5.

However, as the holiday will coincide with many of the UK’s Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations, local stores may vary their hours.

Checking the Asda app ahead of time is a great way to get the exact opening times of your local store.

Aldi

Aldi has won the UK’s cheapest supermarket award for four years in a row (as of April 2025).

The budget-friendly chain was found to be £75 cheaper than Waitrose – the most expensive chain – when it comes to shopping for essentials.

The German-owned retailer has confirmed that their stores will be open as normal on the bank holiday weekend, from 8am to 10pm.

However, they will close their doors two hours early on May 5.

Lidl

Normally, Lidl remains open over the May bank holiday so shoppers can buy their favourite groceries for their day off.

Lidl opens at 8am and shuts at 10pm, but shoppers are advised to check the brand’s app ahead of May 5.

The budget-friendly supermarket is known for its popular bakery, as well as its quirky “middle-aisle” which features luxury homeware such as a hanging egg chair.

Co-op

Co-op’s wide network of stores will remain open over the May 5 bank holiday.

However, some stores may vary their hours so it is best to ask a member of staff for more details.

The shop made headlines in December 2024, when it announced that it would be cutting its popular reward scheme.

This means points earned from in-store purchases can no longer be redeemed for Co-Op vouchers.

Waitrose

Waitrose has long held the title of Britain’s leading luxury supermarket, as well as the country’s most expensive (according to Which? in 2024).

The chain of supermarkets will retain their regular opening hours over the May bank holiday, despite closing entirely on Easter Sunday.

This means they will open at 8am before closing at 8pm, as usual.

Morrisons

Morrisons will be keeping most of its stores open on May 5, 2025, as the country enjoys a day off ahead of VE Day.

The supermarket operates nearly 500 stores across the UK, providing high-end food for low prices.

However, the chain made headlines in April 2025, when it announced that it would be closing 16 of its Morrisons Daily locations.

Morrisons announced that the closures were part of a restructuring plan to cut costs, as high street rent prices soar.

M&S

M&S often varies its hours for bank holidays, reducing its opening times to give its workers some well-earned time off.

Although the supermarket has yet to confirm its May opening times (as of April 29, 2025), M&S normally follows a bank holiday pattern.

Most supermarkets will open at 8:30pm before shutting early at 6pm.

Ask in-store for more details about your local stores opening times.

Home Bargains

Home Bargains was first launched in Liverpool and has grown to have over 600 stores in the UK.

The chain is known for its wide range of cheap goods, including beautiful garden furniture and dupes of luxury items.

Home Bargains has not announced its bank holiday opening times, but its stores normally open at 9am and close at 6pm on national holidays.

B&Q

B&Q will be open over the bank holiday, as Brits often use the extra day off to do some much needed DIY.

Local stores may adjust their opening hours, so it would be wise to ask for more details in store.

The chain of homeware stores offers a wide range of home items, including barbecues and olive trees, as well as power tools and paints.