Shoppers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are facing a rare retail pause this Easter, as two of the UK’s biggest bargain retailers—Primark and B&M—prepare to close all their large stores for an entire day. The move, set for Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, will see hundreds of high street and shopping centre outlets shuttered for more than 24 hours in some locations, a result of long-standing trading laws that continue to shape the country’s retail rhythms.
According to BBC and reporting from El Balad and The Mirror, the closures will affect every Primark and B&M location in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland, however, is exempt from these restrictions, meaning stores north of the border will remain open and operating as usual.
The shutdown is not due to a sudden crisis or staffing issue, but rather the Sunday Trading Act 1994—a piece of legislation that bars shops larger than 280 square metres from opening on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day in England and Wales. Most Primark and B&M branches fall well above that threshold, so the law compels them to close for the day. As a result, shoppers planning last-minute Easter purchases are being urged to visit earlier in the weekend or wait until stores reopen on Easter Monday, April 6, 2026.
Primark, which operates around 190 stores across the UK, confirmed the arrangement in a statement: “On Easter Sunday only stores in Scotland will be open and all stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be closed.” The company also advised, “Primark stores across the UK will be open across the Easter weekend, however on Easter Sunday only stores in Scotland will be open and all stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be closed. Stores may also be operating different hours to normal, so we recommend that customers check our website for their local store opening times before visiting to avoid disappointment.”
B&M, another retail giant with over 700 stores and more than 35,000 staff in the UK, echoed the message. A 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.” B&M emphasized that Easter Sunday will be the only day the store will shut, while Good Friday and Easter Monday will see business as usual.
The closure period varies by location, but for many branches, it will stretch well beyond the 24-hour mark. Most Primark and B&M stores typically close around 10:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, and are expected to reopen around 8:00 AM on Easter Monday, April 6. That means some shoppers will encounter a continuous closure lasting over 37 hours. For instance, the Liverpool Primark branch will close at 8:00 PM on Saturday and not reopen until 9:00 AM on Monday—a 37-hour hiatus. Other stores, particularly in Yorkshire and other urban centres, are expected to follow similar patterns, though exact opening and closing times may differ.
For customers, the message is clear: check your local store’s hours before setting out. Both retailers recommend using their websites or dedicated store locator tools to avoid disappointment. B&M’s app and online locator can help shoppers find precise opening times, while Primark’s website will provide updates for each branch as the Easter weekend approaches.
But what’s behind these annual closures? The answer lies in the Sunday Trading Act 1994, a law that has shaped British retail for more than three decades. The act restricts the hours large shops can trade on Sundays and specifically mandates closure for those over 280 square metres on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Smaller shops are exempt, though many still choose to close so staff can have a day off with family. In Scotland, there are no such legal restrictions on Easter or Christmas, so retailers can stay open if they wish—and most do.
According to The Mirror, B&M describes itself as “one of the leading variety retailers in the UK.” From its first store in Blackpool in 1978, B&M has grown to over 700 locations, drawing more than four million customers each week. The company’s website states, “B&M believes in selling top branded products at sensational prices.” Primark, meanwhile, is a mainstay of British high streets, offering affordable fashion and homeware to millions.
While these closures may frustrate some shoppers, they also offer a rare respite for retail staff. B&M explicitly said the closure allows staff a break from work on Easter Sunday—a sentiment echoed by many in the industry, who see the day as a well-earned pause amid the relentless pace of modern retail. For many employees, Easter Sunday is one of only two guaranteed days off each year, the other being Christmas Day.
As for the future, there’s little sign of change on the horizon. Reporting from Filmogaz and other outlets notes there are currently no proposals to amend the Sunday Trading Act 1994 or alter its size threshold. That means shoppers and retailers alike can expect this pattern of Easter Sunday closures to continue for the foreseeable future, at least in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
For those planning their spring shopping, it’s also worth noting the broader calendar of UK bank holidays. As of March 12, 2026, there are still seven bank holidays left in England and Wales for the year, including Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), the early May and spring bank holidays, the August summer holiday, Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 28, observed). Retailers often adjust their opening hours around these dates, so it’s always wise to check ahead.
For now, though, the message from Primark and B&M is simple: plan ahead, check your local branch’s hours, and don’t be caught out by the Easter Sunday shutdown. For many, it’s a minor inconvenience; for staff, it’s a rare and welcome day of rest. And for the rest of us, it’s a timely reminder that even in the era of 24/7 shopping, some traditions—and laws—still hold sway.