A major supermarket giant has announced it will close most of its stores over Easter.

Tesco will shutter its major stores in England, Northern Ireland and Wales on Easter Sunday, March 31.

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This is because shops in England and Wales larger than 280 square meters must close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, according to government rules.

Sunday trading laws stipulate that shops that choose to remain open may only do so for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm.

Tesco stores in Scotland are open on Sundays from 8am to 8pm.

The supermarket chain has also announced that many of its major stores will also have shorter opening hours on Easter Monday, at 8pm.

Most Tesco Express stores will remain open on Sunday, with all stores returning to normal opening hours on Monday.

On Good Friday many of the shops are open as normal, but those that are normally open late close earlier at 10pm.

These are not guaranteed opening hours and vary depending on the store.

Shoppers are therefore advised to check the opening times of their local store on the Tesco store locator.

You can find the locator by typing ‘Tesco store locator’ into Google.

Then enter your city or zip code and the nearest store will be displayed.

It is also the best place to check petrol station opening times as these may differ from the main store opening hours.

Tesco has over 800 stores nationwide, consisting of regular supermarkets, Extra stores and Express stores.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Meanwhile, several other supermarkets have already confirmed what their opening hours will be during the Easter holidays.

Aldi said its stores in England and Wales will be closed on Easter Sunday.

However, they are open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday from 8am to 10pm.

The shops are also open on Easter Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can check the opening times of your local store at www.stores.aldi.co.uk/store-finder.

Asda has also adjusted its opening hours over the Easter weekend, but depending on location, your local store opening hours may differ.

On Good Friday and Easter Saturday the shops are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

All shops are closed on Easter Sunday, but open on Easter Monday from 6am to 10pm.

You can check the opening times of your local store at www.storelocator.asda.com.

Lidl supermarkets are open on Good Friday, but completely closed on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Friday, Saturday and Monday the shops are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can check the opening times of your local store at www.lidl.co.uk/c/store-finder/s10023098.

Morrisons has special opening hours during the Easter weekend.

The shops are open from 7am to 10pm on Good Friday and open normally on Easter Saturday.

However, all shops are closed on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Monday the shops are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can check the opening hours of your local store at www.my.morrisons.com/storefinder/.

Sainsbury’s has special opening hours during the Easter weekend.

The shops are open on Good Friday from 8am to 10pm and on Easter Saturday from 8am to 9pm.

However, all shops are closed on Easter Sunday.

On Easter Monday the shops are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can check the opening times of your local store at www.stores.sainsburys.co.uk.

By Jessica Janes for Mailonline

Published: 5:08 PM EDT, March 22, 2024 | Updated: 5:37 PM EDT, March 22, 2024

SHOPPERS are devastated after learning that a 240-branch retail chain is looking to close another store.

Game will close its store in Saint Marks Place, Newark, next month.

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The store will permanently stop its activities on Sunday, April 7.

Megan Sheldon, the assistant manager of the Newark store, told the Newark Advertiser: “I know a lot of people in Newark who love this store, and we absolutely love it too.

“It’s a huge loss for Newark and hopefully something happens in the future and we can get another game here.

“It’s definitely a huge loss for Newark. It’s such a great community and we have a lot of regular customers who love this store as much as we do.”

The store manager, Samantha Woods, said the store is closing following a higher order, which cannot be made public.

In light of the news, the store has launched a closing sale, with most products in the store now discounted by 20%.

Frasers Group, which owns the Game brand, has been contacted for comment.

Shoppers have reacted with devastation to the news on social media.

One person said on Facebook: “Hello, my son went there yesterday and in a month it will be closed. Shame to see it disappear.”

“What a huge loss,” said another customer.

A third said: “It always went to when they announced they wouldn’t trade up

“Unfortunately, game stores will close because they focus too much on new and not secondhand.”

Game has closed several branches in recent months, including those in Wales and Oxfordshire.

Meanwhile, two closed last year in Plymouth and Cambridge.

Below is a full list of game stores that have closed in recent months:

• Nuneaton, Warwickshire – November 10, 2023
• Newport, Wales – October 18, 2023
• Exeter, Devon, Guildhall shopping center – January (moved to Sports Direct on Rydon Lane)
• Witney, Oxfordshire – January 7
• Rugby, Warwickshire – January 7
• Huntington, Cambridgeshire – January 14
• Rhyl, Wales – February 4
• Plymouth, Devon – February 6
• Newton Abbot, Devon – March 17
• Grimsby, Lincolnshire – March 17

Game is also closing its store in the Union Square Shopping Center in Torquay, Devon.

The retailer was bought by billionaire businessman Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group in 2019 as part of a £52 million deal.

But by January 2020 it had announced plans to close 40 of its more than 300 stores in the UK.

There are currently more than 240 Game stores nationwide.

House of Fraser, which is also owned by Frasers Group, has also closed a number of stores.

The once iconic department store was saved from destruction by Mike Ashley in 2018.

But while the deal saved the chain’s 59 stores and the 17,000 employees who were dealing with the fallout from the crisis, many more stores have closed in recent years and only 28 department stores remain.

A series of stores were closed in 2023, including in Birmingham, Cardiff and Guildford.

What else is happening to Frasers Group chains?

It’s not just House of Fraser and Game stores that are closing, other Frasers Group chains have also reduced their store numbers.

A Sports Direct branch in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will pull down its shutters for good at the end of March.

Sports Direct also closed its branch in Central Six Retail Park, Coventry, at the end of January.

The Flannels location in the Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, has downed its shutters for the final time in the new year.

It also closed its site in Bradford in January, despite only opening in October.

Designer clothing chain Choice has downed the shutters of one of its stores in Bromley.

Frasers Group acquired Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern as part of a £47.5 million deal in December 2022.

But the retail group brought in administrators for both Base Childrenswear and Kids Cavern just 16 months later.

Earlier this month, the luxury brand Matchesfashion was also placed under administration.

It’s not all bad news, though, as the company has recently opened several sites.

Frasers Group has already started opening ‘new concept’ stores.

The concept stores include various Frasers brands such as Sports Direct, Flannels and beauty halls, as well as products from USC, Jack Wills and GAME.

In September it cut the ribbon on the latest of its new department stores with popular brands such as Sports Direct and Game in Norwich.

There are plans to open two more locations in Blackpool and Sheffield.

The group also announced it will take over the former John Lewis site in the Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough.

A new sportswear store is opening in The Precinct in Coventry.

The company has acquired Compton House on Liverpool’s famous Church Street and is about to open a flagship Sports Direct.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, with shoppers cutting back on spending due to the rising cost of living.

High energy costs and the switch to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll and many stores on the high streets are struggling to continue.

The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.

Several major brands have gone bankrupt in 2023, including Wilko and Paperchase.

The Lidl news comes just weeks after The Body Shop fell into administration.

Then last week it announced it would close nearly half of its 198 stores.

Seven branches have closed with immediate effect, including branches in Surrey Quays and Oxford Street, London.

Beginning of February, Hobbycrafts owner, Bridgepoint, is said to be exploring “strategic options” for the company.

These options could include the retailer being auctioned off.

In January, struggling fashion brand Superdry said it was looking at several “cost-cutting options” after reporting it was considering a major restructuring including store closures and job cuts.

Together with advisors from PwC, we worked on a plan that could lead to a CVA or another form of restructuring.

Such a move could result in store closures and potentially force rent reductions from landlords.

A COMMUNITY leader is devastated as a much-loved farm shop, garden center and cafe close for good.

Gosling Farm Shop, Garden Center and Cafe in Trimley St Martin, East Suffolk, have announced this sudden closure just weeks before the spring rush.

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Lee Reeves, who represents Orwell and Villages on East Suffolk Council, said he was disappointed to see the business close its doors for good.

“It is so sad that such a long-running and beloved local business has found it necessary to close,” Lee explained.

He added: “Many will miss the shop, cafe and on-site facilities, which were well used in the summer months.”

The farm shop cafe was popular with locals in the village and also attracted tourists from all over the UK.

The district councilor also raised concerns about how the space will now be used and hopes the site will not be used for new housing development.

Hopefully the site can be used by the community

Lee Reeves

The east Suffolk village has already seen huge amounts of development, with more projects “in the pipeline”.

However, Lee added: “Hopefully the site can be used by the community, perhaps with a continued food production and a small retail element or for recreational use.”

Gosling’s owners announced the closure in a social media post, thanking staff and “loyal customers” for over the years.

One devastated resident expressed his disappointment on Facebook.

He posted a photo of the now closed farm with the caption: “A very sad slope, the gates of Gosling’s Farm Café are chained and the place is permanently closed.”

Other locals shared their sadness in the comments, with one user writing: “What a shame.”

“It will be greatly missed,” wrote another.

While this resident commented: “Everyone assumes it has been sold to developers (and I suspect they are right).”

It comes as shoppers were left saddened after a supermarket abruptly announced its closure after 50 “great” years.

And Wetherspoons has saved an ‘impressive’ pub from closure, but another campsite has closed its doors for good.

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A SUPERMARKET giant has revealed plans to close one of its warehouses as part of the latest shake-up, putting 500 jobs at risk.

Waitrose has started a consultation process over the possible closure of its Enfield branch in north London, which only opened in 2020.

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The supermarket chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, is likely to close the warehouse this summer before the lease expires in early 2025.

The Enfield Customer Fulfillment Center is a warehouse used to collect and deliver online orders for customers in some areas of North London. It was launched amid a surge in demand for online grocery shopping at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is understood that Waitrose plans to move orders currently going through the site to two other sites.

A final decision on the proposals will not be made until the consultation process, which is expected to last at least 12 weeks, is completed.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: “As rental costs at Enfield increase due to the expansion and capacity elsewhere in our network, we are considering closing the site.

“While not an option we explore lightly, the proposal would maintain our high level of customer service for Waitrose.com and support future growth.

“It is in no way a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team.

“No decision will be made until we have fully consulted with all partners at our Enfield site, who will be supported throughout the process.”

The planned job cuts are part of cost savings at parent group John Lewis Partnership.

Last week, Sharon White, the partnership’s chairman, told reporters there is “no target” for job cuts, but indicated some roles will be affected by the turnaround strategy.

“Part of our renewal plan is to become simpler and more flexible,” she said.

“As a result, there will be less need for certain positions in some areas in the coming years, but there is no specific target.”

The decision comes as John Lewis announced plans to renovate 80 of its existing Waitrose stores over the next three years.

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024, the company added in its recent annual results release that it would also “open new Waitrose stores in areas where the brand is undeserved.”

In addition, customers in John Lewis stores will be able to benefit from approximately 80 new brands, a strengthened own brand and a revamped Home category.

Elsewhere, hundreds of jobs and shops are at risk after Ted Baker confirmed plans to bring in administrators.

No Ordinary Designer Label (NODL), owned by Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and trading as Ted Baker, filed a letter of intent on Tuesday.

And shoppers are left desperate after M&S confirmed the exact date it will close one of its branches.

The upmarket retailer is closing branches in several locations and opening 104 new ‘bigger and fresher’ stores in a bid to update its portfolio.

AN UNHAPPY woman who narrowly missed out on an eye-watering £3.6million Lotto jackpot shouted: “Why do bad things always happen to me”.

Nicole Makrigannis, 23, thought she was in with a chance of winning the Set for Life draw, which would have seen her take home as much as £10,000 a month for 30 years.

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The make-up artist from Liverpool chose numbers 3, 12, 20, 39, 44 and 6.

She watched in shock as the winning numbers were announced.

Nicole’s jaw dropped when she saw that each figure was only one less than she had chosen.

The balls drawn were 2, 11, 19, 38, 43 and 6.

She said, “Oh my God.

“Why do bad things always happen to me?

“It wasn’t in the universe’s plan to let me live my life.”

People were just as stunned as Nicole when they discovered her accident.

One stunned punter said: “This would be my thirteenth reason why.”

Another suggested bigger plans were at play, saying: “It’s called ‘one-off’.

“Usually this means you are very close to the big win.

“The universe is just testing to see how you will respond.”

A third said the nail-biting coincidence would be enough to send them over the edge.

“No, this would stop my villain era from lying,” they wrote.

Another added: “Just the words ‘set for life’ after seeing those numbers would have me rocking back and forth in the corner sobbing.”

It comes as one man told how a heartbreaking decision saw him miss out on a massive £61 million lottery win.

Paul Ridge, 76, was stunned when ex-wife Debbie Nuttall, 54, claimed the latest EuroMillions jackpot.

Now the ex-husband, who has not seen his ex-wife for 30 years, has said he would be “very grateful” to see a share of the profits.

He told the Mirror: “She can donate some of her winnings to me if she wants. I would be very grateful!”

Meanwhile, a couple who thought they had scooped an eye-watering £182 million EuroMillions jackpot were left devastated when they received a devastating message.

Students Rachel Kennedy and Liam McCrohan were deciding how to spend the money.

They were “absolutely heartbroken” when they called to claim the pot and were told their direct debit had been declined.

Another man was left devastated after his ex won £14.5 million and immediately told him he wouldn’t see a penny.

M&S is set to close another two stores for good, leaving shoppers devastated.

The retailer is pulling down the shutters on its sites in Crawley and Doncaster.

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The Doncaster store, located in Baxtergate, has been in the city center for more than 50 years and shoppers have branded the closure as “disgusting”.

On social media, someone said: “This is awful, it’s a great store to go to.”

Another said: “Disgusting! They should reconsider this!”

While another commented: “The city is in decline.”

It’s not all bad news, as the retail giant is moving to a nearby retail park on Wheatley Hall Road, according to a local news outlet. Doncaster Free Press.

It’s disgusting that they have to reconsider this!

Social media user

However, shoppers complain that it is not very accessible for people who don’t drive.

One person said: “This means my mum would have to take two buses to get there which would be a nightmare for her.”

Crawley residents feel much the same about the loss of their local M&S.

The store, based in Queensway, has been around for decades and a councilor told the local news outlet: The Argus that the decision to close the store was “a real blow to the city centre”.

One local wrote on Facebook that it was “such a shame” and another said it was “the only decent shop in Crawley”.

A third angry customer said: “This is a travesty!”

While a fourth commented: “We won’t be anywhere in our city soon.”

Earlier this year the retailer confirmed it would also close its Walworth store in south London.

The popular store has been serving locals for more than 100 years and the news came as a shock to the community.

Commenting on the Walworth closure, M&S regional manager Gordon Scott said the proposal to close the store was due to “changing shopping habits”.

The Sun has contacted M&S for comment on the store closures in Doncaster and Crawley.

In 2022, the retailer announced plans to close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of a five-year plan to shake up its branch portfolio.

M&S, which operates 405 stores across the country, closed branches in Manchester, Swindon and Birmingham between August and November last year.

In addition, 40 M&S clothing stores closed between November 2016 and July 2023.

If you want to find out if your local store is next, we’ve got the full list of M&S stores set to close in 2024.

It’s not all bad news for the retailer and shoppers, however, as in January 2023 the company announced it would open 20 more stores over the course of the financial year.

At the same time, it said it will open 104 new “bigger and fresher” food stores.

In the past 12 months it has opened 22 branches, including in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester.

What else is happening on the shopping street?

Marks and Spencer isn’t the only retailer to change course and make some changes to its store portfolio.

A combination of rising rents and costs of living has forced many large companies to rethink the way they run their businesses.

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have also scaled back their store portfolios and closed branches.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

This has upset many locals in the affected towns, but the health and beauty chain has said that where stores close there is an alternative store less than three miles away.

Last year, Argos began implementing plans to reduce the number of standalone stores and focus on opening more locations in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Last June it closed 42 UK stores, including all 34 in the Republic of Ireland.

However, things are looking good for other retailers, and despite the difficult trading conditions, some are expanding their number of stores.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.

Shoppers are devastated after a retail giant with 1,400 branches will close its doors for good in weeks.

The retail giant has confirmed the impending closure of one of its stores in Berkshire.

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WHSmith announced it is rolling down the shutters of the store on the busy high street in Slough for the final time.

Next to the post office, the store is emptied of stationery and books.

The local population will now have to take their baskets and letters elsewhere.

With more than 1,400 branches across the country, the retailer has left locals mourning the loss of a Slough staple.

The staff will close their doors for the last time on Saturday, May 11.

Bosses said the decision follows the end of the unit’s leasing and financial challenges.

A spokesperson for WHSmith said: “We can confirm that the WHSmith store in Slough will close on Saturday 11 May.

“It is no longer sustainable to continue trading from this location and the decision has been made to close the store due to the impending lease.

“We are disappointed to lose our presence at this location and would like to thank all our customers for their support and for shopping with us.

“We are also extremely grateful for the efforts of our colleagues in the stores, who we will support in this transition and redeploy to nearby stores where possible.”

However, the measure has led to a wave of dissatisfaction among the local population, who are already struggling with a ‘ghostly’ shopping street.

Shoppers said the move represents a significant blow to their city.

Taking to Facebook, one shopper said: “Are there any real shops left on Slough High Street?”

Another said: ‘If another good shop goes the high street might as well be closed, it’s not worth staying open. What a sad thing.’

A third fumed: “They keep saying they are going to transform the high street but nothing is happening.”

Others expressed their sadness and frustrations.

A local resident said: “I am shocked to hear that WH Smith is closing.”

Another added: “Not another worthwhile store. Such a shame for the town and residents.”

A third wrote: “Another nail in the coffin for Slough.”

The retailer has 600 high street stores, along with more than 800 travel stores in airports, train stations, hospitals, workplaces and along highways.

Earlier this month, as part of its preliminary results, the chain announced it would close 22 stores to focus on finding better quality space.

In June, WHSmith’s boss Carl Cowling said it had no plans to open any more British high street stores.

Instead, it is focusing its efforts on British airports and train stations, and also wants to expand in the US and Europe, he said.

A shoe chain with 300 branches is permanently pulling down the shutters of even more stores in just a few days.

Clarks has confirmed that sites in East Grinstead and Maidenhead are next in line, following a series of closures.

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The iconic retailer with more than 300 British stores has already pulled the plug on a number of locations.

In January it closed its store in Witham and shuttered its site in Newport Retail Park in November.

Now the retailer has confirmed that its East Grinstead store will close on March 24, with its Maidenhead store to follow in June 2024.

Clarks told The Sun: “We have a strong duty of care to all our employees and have worked closely with the store team over a period of consultation.

“We thank them all for their dedication in serving our customers over the years.”

Residents in both areas have taken to social media to react to the news.

It’s ridiculous that the city is getting a joke now!

Social media user

An East Grinstead resident said: “It’s very sad to hear this. I’ve been buying fantastic footwear there for years that last a long time, another loss for the town.”

Another commented: “It’s ridiculous that the city is getting a joke now!”

While a third said: “Such a shame, more and more shops are empty.”

Maidenhead locals share the same frustration at the loss of the Clarks store.

One person said: “Ooooo no, how are we supposed to measure children’s feet?”

Another added: “So we won’t have a shoe store in town?”

A third said: “This is sad to hear. I remember a time when our high street had loads of shoe shops, we were spoiled for choice.”

Local high streets have become a shadow of their former selves in recent years, not a week seems to go by without another shop disappearing.

A combination of rising rents and shoppers turning to online stores since the coronavirus crisis have both contributed to the demise of our city center stores.

The rising cost of living has also made many people think twice before spending their money on anything other than the weekly necessities.

This has meant that major retailers have either disappeared altogether as they fall under government control, or are downsizing the number of high streets they operate.

What other stores have we lost recently?

We’ve seen several big losses in the last twelve months, including popular discounter Wilko and stationary brand Paperchase.

More recently, health and beauty chain The Body Shop has gone bankrupt and announced the closure of many of its 200 stores.

Nearly 500 employees will lose their jobs after 75 stores close in the coming weeks.

We have the full list of branches that are about to close. Is your local affected?

Other retailers such as Iceland, Boots and Matalan have reduced the number of stores on the high street.

This month, Boots announced it will close a total of nine locations, as part of its wider plans to lose 300 locations.

These closures will reduce the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900.

This has upset many locals in the affected towns, but the health and beauty chain has said that where stores close there is an alternative store less than three miles away.

Last year, Argos began implementing plans to reduce the number of standalone stores and focus on opening more locations in Sainsbury’s supermarkets.

Last June it closed 42 UK stores, including all 34 in the Republic of Ireland.

Marks and Spencer is another retailer that has made changes to its store portfolio.

In 2022, M&S announced it would close 67 “lower productivity” stores as part of the 110 stores it had already earmarked for closure.

It wasn’t all bad news for M&S shoppers, though, with some stores closing, others opening in new locations.

Nine new openings took place in November last year, including six new stores plus three store renovations.

Is it all bad news?

The answer to that is no. Some retailers are expanding despite difficult market conditions.

Primark recently confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 new stores.

Popular discounter B&M also said it plans to open 17 new locations by 2024, some of which will open soon.

Also earlier this year, WHSmith confirmed it would open 15 new stores, but these would not be located on the high street.

We have the full list of chains opening stores in 2024. See if one is coming to a shopping street near you.