Is M&s Open On Good Friday

Last year, I stood outside my local M&S with my hands full of shopping bags, only to find the doors locked tighter than a jar of pickled onions. It was Good Friday, and I had desperately needed a Colin the Caterpillar cake for an impromptu family visit. I just stood there, staring at my own reflection in the glass, feeling personally betrayed by a department store.

That’s the moment you realise: nothing prepares you for the crushing disappointment of a closed Marks & Spencer on a bank holiday. You think you know the rules, but then the holiday calendar throws a curveball. So, let’s settle this once and for all: is M&S open on Good Friday?

The Short, Sweet Answer

Here’s the honest truth, straight from the horse’s mouth (or, you know, the M&S website). Yes, most M&S stores are open on Good Friday. But—and isn’t there always a “but”?—it’s not a normal shopping day.

You can expect reduced hours. Think of it as a “bank holiday lite” schedule. Most stores open later in the morning and close earlier in the evening, usually around 6 PM or 7 PM.

But Wait—Check Your Local Store

Here’s where it gets tricky. Not all M&S stores are created equal. Your local M&S Simply Food in a train station might be open completely normal hours, while the big out-of-town one shuts early. The key is to not assume anything based on what the store next door is doing.

I have a friend who once drove forty minutes to an M&S on Good Friday, only to find a sign saying “Closed for Easter.” He still talks about it like it’s a war story. Don’t be that guy.

Your best bet? Use the store locator on the M&S website or app—it’ll give you specific hours for your branch. Seriously, do it now. Bookmark it. It’s five seconds that could save you a lot of huffing and puffing.

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Why Is This So Confusing Anyway?

Look, I get it. Good Friday is technically a public holiday, but it’s not quite like Christmas Day. Most supermarkets—Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda—they’re all open, but on a modified schedule. M&S follows the same logic, but with a slightly fancier attitude.

It’s because M&S is seen as a little bit more “special occasion.” Their stock is higher-end, so they assume you’re buying the good chocolate eggs, not the cheap foil-wrapped ones. They want to be there for you, but they also want their staff to have a decent break.

So while you’ll definitely find the Percy Pig gummies and the Dine In for Two meal deal, you might not find them at 9 PM. That is the trade-off.

What About Easter Sunday?

Now, Easter Sunday is a completely different beast. That’s when the big restrictions kick in. Most large M&S stores are closed on Easter Sunday. It’s a legal thing in England and Wales—big shops over a certain size have to close.

But your local M&S Simply Food in a petrol station or a small high street? Those can stay open. So if you desperately need milk on Easter Sunday, you might get lucky. Just don’t plan on buying a whole roast dinner.

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A Game Plan for Good Friday

If you’re planning an M&S run this Good Friday, follow my three-step guide. Step one: Check the hours for your specific store online. Step two: Go early in the day—by 3 PM, the shelves can look a bit picked over, especially for hot cross buns.

Step three: Have a backup plan. If M&S is closed or too busy, know where the nearest Sainsbury’s Local or Co-op is. Because nothing ruins a bank holiday like a failed snack mission.

And if you do find yourself locked out like I was last year? Don’t panic. Buy your Colin the Caterpillar cake the day before. That’s what grown-ups do, apparently.

The Bottom Line

So, is M&S open on Good Friday? Yes, mostly. But “mostly” is a dangerous word when you’re hangry and carrying a reusable bag. Treat the day like a bank holiday sale: limited time, limited stock, and a little bit of extra planning.

Now go stock up on those chocolate teacakes. You’ve got this.