Eleanor StoneM&S Closes on Easter Sunday 2026: The Sunday Trading Act Explained and What It Means for Your Consumer Rights
All 229 full-line Marks & Spencer stores in England will close on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026 — not by choice, but by law. Under the Sunday Trading Act 1994, large shops are legally required to shut on Easter Sunday, and understanding this legislation reveals important consumer rights that apply year-round.
Why M&S Has No Choice
Easter Sunday is the only day in the year when the Sunday Trading Act imposes a mandatory full-day closure on large retailers in England and Wales. Every shop larger than 280 square metres (approximately 3,000 sq ft) must remain closed for the entire day — no exceptions, no exemptions.
This is not a company decision by M&S, Primark, John Lewis, or Next. It is a statutory requirement under the Sunday Trading Act 1994, which has remained in force despite multiple reform attempts. The most recent effort to liberalise Easter Sunday trading hours failed in Parliament in 2016.
In Scotland, the Act does not apply — M&S stores north of the border remain open. M&S convenience stores (smaller than 280 sq m) are also exempt and will trade normally on Easter Sunday.
The Sunday Trading Act: A Consumer's Guide
Most British consumers are unaware of the full scope of the Sunday Trading Act, which governs large retailer opening hours every Sunday of the year — not just Easter.
Under the Act, large shops can only open for a continuous six-hour window between 10am and 6pm on normal Sundays. Easter Sunday is the exception where no opening is permitted at all. Workers also have specific protections under the legislation: shop employees have the right to opt out of Sunday working without facing dismissal or detriment — a right that is frequently overlooked by both employers and staff.
According to the House of Commons Library briefing on shop opening hours, workers who object to Sunday working must give three months' written notice to opt out. Employers who penalise workers for exercising this right are in breach of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Your Rights as a Consumer on Bank Holidays
Bank holiday trading raises several consumer rights questions that a legal expert can help clarify:
Online orders placed before Easter Sunday: Delivery promises are contractual. If a retailer guarantees next-day delivery and fails to deliver due to Easter Sunday closures — without disclosing this in advance — you may be entitled to a refund of delivery charges. Check the terms at the time of purchase.
Click-and-collect orders: If a store is legally required to close on Easter Sunday, click-and-collect orders placed for that date should be automatically rescheduled. Retailers are required to notify customers of any change to agreed collection dates.
Sale items and promotional pricing: Promotional offers that expire on Easter Sunday cannot be redeemed in-store on that day. Retailers have an obligation to clearly communicate expiry terms for bank holiday periods — if this was not made clear, a complaint to the retailer or to Citizens Advice may be warranted.
Gift cards and vouchers: Statutory protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 mean that retailers cannot impose unreasonable conditions on gift card redemption. An expiry date that falls on a mandatory closure day raises questions about fairness — particularly if the consumer was not informed.
When to Seek Legal Advice
For most consumers, Easter Sunday trading inconveniences are minor. But they can escalate into genuine legal disputes in certain circumstances:
- A retailer cancels or delays a time-sensitive delivery (wedding flowers, catering supplies, event equipment) without prior warning that Easter Sunday would affect fulfilment
- An employer forces an employee to work Easter Sunday without honouring their opt-out rights
- A business loses revenue because a supplier failed to deliver essential goods, citing Easter closures — and the contract contained no force majeure provision for statutory trading restrictions
In these situations, a solicitor or legal adviser can assess whether the loss is recoverable and through which route: small claims court, mediation, or a formal letter before action.
The Broader Picture: UK Bank Holiday Consumer Rights
The Easter weekend — Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday — is the only extended bank holiday in the UK where statutory trading restrictions vary by day. Large shops can open on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday, but not on Easter Sunday.
This inconsistency frequently catches consumers and retailers off guard. A legal expert can also advise on:
- Whether a refund is owed if a service was not delivered as promised over the Easter period
- How the statutory holidays affect contract deadlines (a contract requiring performance "within 7 days" may or may not count bank holidays, depending on wording)
- Employee rights during extended holiday periods, particularly in retail, hospitality, and logistics
The government's guidance on trading hours is available at gov.uk, the authoritative source for statutory obligations on retailers and the rights of workers and consumers.
Plan Ahead for Easter 2026
Easter Sunday 2026 falls on 5 April. Large retailers in England and Wales — including all major supermarkets over 280 sq m — will be closed for the full day. M&S convenience stores, petrol station forecourt shops, and independent retailers remain unaffected.
For consumers with complex situations — pending deliveries, employment disputes, or business contract questions related to Easter trading — Expert Zoom connects you with qualified legal advisers who can provide clear, practical guidance.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, consult a qualified solicitor.
