Marks & Spencer makes brilliant change to Sheffield store during run-up to Christmas

It is among numerous big names announcing longer than usual opening hours, including Primark, Aldi and Waitrose, as they attempt to make up for lost trade during the national lockdown while keeping staff and shoppers safe.

For the first time ever, between December 21 and 23, M&S will be opening the majority of its stores – including those at Meadowhall and St. James Retail Park – until midnight, with its Fargate shop opening until 10pm on those days.

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Aldi will be opening its stores until 11pm between December 19 and 23, with normal Sunday opening hours on December 20.

Waitrose has reportedly said smaller stores will stay open until 11pm on December 21, 22 and 23, while larger branches will close at 10pm.

Primark said it is reviewing its opening times on a store-by-store basis.

"Where possible these will be extended to help us cater for the anticipated higher customer demand and reduce customer queues by spreading potential shopping hours over a longer period of time,” said a spokeswoman for the retailer.

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A spokesman for M&S said: “This Christmas we’re doing everything we can to help our customers shop with confidence in our stores and online. As part of this, we’re pleased to be offering our longest ever store opening hours for the final shopping days before Christmas – helping ensure colleagues & customers have the time and space they need to social distance.

“As always, we anticipate 21-23 December to be our busiest days, so for the first time ever, the majority (around two-thirds) of our stores will be open until midnight to give customers that little bit of extra time to grab their groceries and final gifts for the big day (last year just 15 stores offered a midnight closing time vs around 400 this year).”

He added that nearly all food-only stores and combined food and clothing stores on retail parks would have midnight opening, with shops on high streets and in major shopping centres generally open until 10pm.“

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You can check store opening hours by using the M&S app or visiting www.marksandspencer.com/stores.