Is today a bank holiday – are shops open on December 27 and 28?

With Christmas Day on a Saturday this year, what does that mean for the bank holiday that usually comes with it? (Picture: Getty Images)

Whether you’re celebrating or not, something that many people look forward to over the Christmas period is the prospect of bank holidays.

True, many people still have to work, and it can mean delayed deliveries and postal orders and limited opening hours – but equally, it can be an excuse to relax and slow down.

However, with Christmas Day and Boxing Day falling on Saturday and Sunday this year, there are some questions as to whether the weekdays that follow will be all systems go, or whether the rest days carry over.

So, are December 27 and 28 bank holidays?

Is today a bank holiday?

Call us the bearers of good news – as we’re happy to say that today, Monday 27 December is indeed a bank holiday across the United Kingdom.

It’s a substitute for what would have been the bank holiday for Christmas Day.

And if extra snooze days are your thing, you’re in luck – Tuesday 28 December is also a bank holiday, filling in for what would have occurred if Boxing Day had fallen on a weekday.

No work? Why not catch up on some well-deserved zzzs? (Picture: Getty Images)

When’s the next bank holiday?

Luckily, you don’t have to wait too long for your next dose of BH goodness – the next one is on Monday 3 January. Since New Year’s Day (January 1) falls on Saturday, its accompanying ‘off-day’ falls on the next weekday after it, which is Monday.

Are shops open today?

Though today is often referenced to as ‘Christmas Day (Observed)’ in matters relating to trade, many supermarkets and retail stores will be open today, with some operating with different opening hours. Normal house for services such as the Post Office may not resume until Wednesday 29 December.

Caption: FILE PHOTO: Shoppers look at bread in a Sainsbury\’s supermarket, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain January 12, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Photographer: Henry Nicholls Provider: REUTERS Source: X06612 (Picture: REUTERS)

What are the scheduled bank holidays for 2022?

In England and Wales, the scheduled bank holidays are as follows:

• Monday 3 January (New Year’s Day substitute)
• Friday 15 April (Good Friday)
• Monday 18 April (Easter Monday)
• Monday 2 May (early May bank holiday)
• Thursday 2 June (spring bank holiday)
• Friday 3 June (Platinum Jubilee bank holiday)
• Monday 29 August (summer bank holiday)
• Monday 26 December (Boxing Day)
• Tuesday 27 December (Christmas Day substitute)

In Scotland, the bank holidays for 2022 are:

• Monday 3 January (New Year’s Day substitute)
• Tuesday 4 January (2 January substitute)
• Friday 15 April (Good Friday)
• Monday 2 May (early May bank holiday)
• Thursday 2 June (spring bank holiday)
• Friday 3 June (Platinum Jubilee bank holiday)
• Monday 1 August (summer bank holiday)
• Wednesday 1 November (St Andrew’s Day)
• Monday 26 December (Boxing Day)
• Tuesday 27 December (Christmas Day substitute)

And if in Northern Ireland, your scheduled weekday breaks next year look like this:

Monday 3 January (New Year’s Day substitute)
Thursday 17 March (St Patrick’s Day)
Friday 15 April (Good Friday)
Monday 18 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 2 May (early May bank holiday)
Thursday 2 June (spring bank holiday)
Friday 3 June (Platinum Jubilee bank holiday)
Tuesday 12 July (Battle of the Boyne)
Monday 29 August (summer bank holiday)
Monday 26 December (Boxing Day)
Tuesday 27 December (Christmas Day substitute)

MORE : 2022 bank holidays: Full list, and how to maximise your leave

MORE : Fears for New Year’s Eve as parties could be cancelled and indoor mixing banned

from News – Metro https://ift.tt/3ptxZnm