As the Easter bank holiday approaches, many in the UK are preparing for a weekend of relaxation and family activities. However, with the changing weather and varying opening times of local businesses, it's important to stay informed about what to expect. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the garden centre hours, weather forecast, and local council service updates for the Easter weekend.
Garden centres across the UK are gearing up for the Easter weekend, with many offering special hours to accommodate visitors. Haskins garden centres will be open on Good Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, from 9am to 6pm. However, they will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20, and will reopen on Easter Monday, April 21, during the same hours.
Dobbies garden centres have yet to announce any changes to their Easter hours, but they typically operate from 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, remaining closed on Sundays. British Garden Centres will also be closed on Easter Sunday but will maintain their usual hours on the other days.
If you're planning to visit a Blue Diamond garden centre, they will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday from 9am to 5:30pm, with regular hours on Saturday. Like others, they will close on Easter Sunday.
Hilliers garden centres, which boast over 20 sites in southern England, will have limited service on Easter Sunday, offering restaurant access only. The centres will be open at regular hours on the other days.
Notcutts garden centres will follow a similar pattern, remaining open throughout the weekend except for Easter Sunday when they will close. Normal hours of 9am to 6pm apply on Good Friday, Saturday, and Easter Monday.
While garden centres are a popular destination during the bank holiday, the weather may also impact outdoor plans. The forecast indicates that the run-up to Easter will be unsettled, with some drier interludes between showers. On Thursday, April 17, much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will experience a largely dry day, though a few showers are possible in Northern Ireland. Scotland will see cloud cover and showers, but it should brighten up later in the day. Temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to reach between 9-12C, while southern England could see highs of 17C.
Good Friday, April 18, will bring a mix of weather across the UK. The west will likely be cloudy and wet, especially in Northern Ireland, where the heaviest rain is expected. In contrast, central and south-eastern England may enjoy some sunshine, with temperatures potentially reaching 18C.
On Saturday, April 19, rain will move into the south-west during the morning but should clear up by the afternoon. Most areas will remain dry with some sunny spells, although it will feel cooler on the east coast, with maximum temperatures around 10-12C.
Easter Sunday, April 20, is forecasted to be cloudy in eastern areas, with a slight chance of patchy light rain along the coast. For the majority, it will be a dry day, particularly in the western regions, though it may cloud over in the south later on.
Easter Monday, April 21, will bring variable cloud cover and some sunny spells, but expect afternoon showers in the south. The temperature could reach 19C in the south-east, while it will be cooler along eastern coasts at 13-16C.
In addition to the weather and garden centre hours, Cumberland Council has announced service closures in Carlisle for the Easter bank holiday. The Civic Centre, Cumbria House, Allerdale House in Workington, and the Market Hall in Whitehaven will be closed on Friday, April 18, and Monday, April 21. Residents are encouraged to utilize online services at cumberland.gov.uk.
The council's main customer service number will be unavailable from 4pm on Thursday, April 17, and will reopen on Tuesday, April 22, at 9am. During this closure, a recorded message will provide information about the closure and emergency contact numbers for issues related to Highways, Homelessness, and Adults and Children’s Social Care.
Despite these closures, refuse and recycling collections will proceed as planned, with no changes to the usual schedule. Residents can check specific collection dates on the council's website. Household Waste Recycling Centres will maintain their normal operating hours.
The Highways Hotline will not be in service during the holidays, but calls will be directed to an answering machine that provides emergency contact information. For adult social care emergencies, residents can reach the out-of-hours emergency service, which is available 24 hours a day. The Emergency Duty Team for children’s social care emergencies can also be contacted at any time.
All archive centres and libraries will be closed, and the Registration Services and Trading Standards’ Consumer Direct helpline will not be available. Residents are advised to check the Better website for information regarding leisure centre availability over the bank holiday weekend.
As the Easter weekend approaches, it’s crucial for residents and visitors to plan ahead, whether they’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors or need to access local services. With the right information, everyone can make the most of this bank holiday.
