Marks & Spencer extends opening hours ahead of Christmas

Marks and Spencer is one of few retailers that has extended its opening hours ahead of Christmas, with seasonal shopping available in select stores between December 18 and December 23.

It means a large portion of the company’s 400 UK stores will remain open to customers as late as 10pm during this time.

However, the retailer will observe bank holiday trading hours later in the festive period when Christmas Day arrives.

That said, a statement from M&S read that most of its stores will be open on New Year’s Day (January 1), so fans of the shop can get their fix before heading back to work on January 2.

It’s easy to check when individual M&S stores are open by using the retailer’s search tool.

M&S Christmas opening hours

The majority of Marks and Spencer stores and Simply Food sites are open from 7am or 8am until 7pm on a normal day, but this has changed over the festive period.

While some stores are opening until a later time of 10pm, many will shut at 8pm or 9pm in the run-up to Christmas Day when stores will shut.

All stores across the UK will remain closed on Boxing Day as a standard to give staff a well-earned break.

M&S New Year’s opening hours

Normal opening hours are expected to resume in M&S stores after Boxing Day, between December 27 and 30.

Larger stores will open from 8am to 6pm or 7pm on most days, though some Simply Food branches may close later than this.

On New Year’s Eve, December 31, ordinary Sunday working hours will be observed with the majority of shops open from 10.30am to 4.30, or 11am to 5pm.

Marks and Spencer has confirmed that on New Year’s Day, (January 1), some stores close while others will open. It’s best to check your local branch before hitting the shops in this case.