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Are shops, Post Offices and banks open on Christmas Day 2021? UK opening hours over Xmas explained

Christmas Day is usually a time to put your feet up and enjoy lots of food and drink. But for those who want to hit the high street, can you do any sales shopping on the big day?

Henry Sandercock
By Henry Sandercock
24th Dec 2021, 12:15pm
Can you grab some super last-minute Christmas presents on the big day? No - unless you live near to a 24/7 corner shop (image: AFP/Getty Images)Can you grab some super last-minute Christmas presents on the big day? No - unless you live near to a 24/7 corner shop (image: AFP/Getty Images)
Can you grab some super last-minute Christmas presents on the big day? No - unless you live near to a 24/7 corner shop (image: AFP/Getty Images)

Christmas is typically a time to put your feet up, play some board games and eat vast quantities of delicious food and drink.

But, as the Boxing Day sales often prove, shopaholics cannot resist the lure of high street bargains.

This year might prove to be different with the spread of the Omicron Covid variant likely to put some shoppers off going to busy places.

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Some major retailers have already announced they will not be opening their doors until a few days after Christmas for this very reason.

Most businesses are closing their doors earlier than they would on a typical Friday on Christmas Eve (image: AFP/Getty Images)Most businesses are closing their doors earlier than they would on a typical Friday on Christmas Eve (image: AFP/Getty Images)
Most businesses are closing their doors earlier than they would on a typical Friday on Christmas Eve (image: AFP/Getty Images)

So, if you’re someone who likes to get your sales shopping done early, will any shops be open on Christmas Day - and can you expect to head to the bank or Post Office?

NationalWorld has compiled a list of key high street businesses and whether they will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

And, if you are heading out, please check with your local branch for more information as opening times might differ from what we’ve listed below.

Banks

None of the UK’s major banks will be open again until Wednesday 29 December.

Because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on weekend days this year, the bank holidays will not be held until Monday (27 December) and Tuesday (28 December).

Most banks are closing much earlier than on a usual working day on Christmas Eve (image: Getty Images)Most banks are closing much earlier than on a usual working day on Christmas Eve (image: Getty Images)
Most banks are closing much earlier than on a usual working day on Christmas Eve (image: Getty Images)

It also means that transactions and other banking processes will most likely not take place until Wednesday 29 December.

While their bricks and mortar branches will be closed, some banks have confirmed they will run some form of customer service over the coming days.

Here are the ones which will be doing this:

  • HSBC - itscustomer service lines will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but will run as normal from 27 December
  • Halifax - Phone lines for help on core services appear to be open as usual between 7am and 11pm every day. It’s worth checking before contacting them
  • Nationwide - It appears the building society’s phone lines will remain open from 8am to 8pm every day over the Christmas period. However, once again, you should check before calling to avoid disappointment
It remains unclear how many people will turn out for the Boxing Day sales given the spread of the Omicron Covid variant (image: Getty Images)It remains unclear how many people will turn out for the Boxing Day sales given the spread of the Omicron Covid variant (image: Getty Images)
It remains unclear how many people will turn out for the Boxing Day sales given the spread of the Omicron Covid variant (image: Getty Images)

Post Office

Many of the major high street banks allow you to check into your current accounts at the Post Office.

Some branches may be open on Christmas, Boxing Day and the bank holidays, but it’s best to check with your local shop before heading out to avoid wasting a trip.

High street retailers

None of the major high street chains will be opening their stores on Christmas Day.

If you desperately need supplies, your best bet for shopping success will be your local corner shop as some of them opt to remain open on Christmas Day.

Petrol stations and services on motorways will definitely be open as they are legally required to offer fuel, parking and toilets all-year-round.

However, your purchasing options are likely to be limited there, especially for food and drink items.

Some petrol stations on A roads may open up over the Christmas holidays, but none of them are legally obliged to open.

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