B&M is closing hundreds of stores across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. However Scottish branches are staying open as usual
B&M has announced it will shut hundreds of outlets throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for a single day next month. However Scottish branches will continue trading normally.
The discount chain will close its doors for 24 hours on April 5, 2026, to commemorate Easter Sunday and give workers a well-deserved rest. A B&M spokesperson told the Mirror: “England, Wales, and Northern Ireland stores will be closed on Easter Sunday. Stores in Scotland will be trading as normal and operating their usual hours.”
The chain will close its doors for 24 hours on April 5, 2026, to commemorate Easter Sunday and give workers a well-deserved respite. Easter Sunday represents the sole day the retailer will cease operations. Both Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday and April 6, will see shops maintaining regular trading hours.
Such adjustments to opening times or complete closures during bank holidays are standard practice amongst retailers. Legal requirements dictate English and Welsh outlets exceeding 280 square metres must remain shut on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
B&M’s trading hours may differ between locations throughout the extended bank holiday period. Planning ahead prevents the disappointment of turning up to find shuttered premises, reports the Mirror.
Customers can verify opening times for their local B&M outlet using the store finder feature at bmstores.co.uk/stores. Alternatively, the B&M mobile app offers the same store locator functionality. B&M was formed in 1978 and describes itself as “one of the leading variety retailers in the UK”.
A statement on its website reads: “From its first store in Blackpool, Lancashire, B&M has grown to over 700+ stores and employs over 35,000+ staff. B&M believes in selling top branded products at sensational prices. We attract over four million happy customers through our doors a week.”
Another statement on the company’s website reads: “From its first store in Blackpool, Lancashire, B&M has grown to over 700+ stores and employs over 35,000+ staff. B&M believes in selling top branded products at sensational prices. We attract over four million happy customers through our doors a week.”
Why do shops shut on Easter Sunday?
In England and Wales, legislation dictates any shop larger than 280 square metres must close its doors on Easter Sunday. This is stipulated by the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which restricts the operating hours of larger shops on Sundays.
Smaller retailers with less than 280 square metres are exempt from this law, but many opt to close anyway to give their employees a day off. The same regulations apply to trading on Christmas Day. However, in Scotland, there are no specific rules governing opening hours during these holidays.
How many more bank holidays are left in 2026 for the UK?
As of 12 March 2026, there remain seven bank holidays for the rest of the year in England and Wales. Following New Year’s Day, the next public holiday is Good Friday on 3 April. The remaining holidays scattered throughout April, May, August, and December.