Aldi Store Closures: Over 1,070 UK branches to shut for 24 hours on April 5
aldi store closures will affect more than 1, 070 Aldi locations in England and Wales for a full 24 hours on April 5, 2026, as the chain complies with the Sunday Trading Act 1994. Aldi, which operates approximately 1, 086 stores nationwide, will also run adjusted hours across the extended Easter weekend. The move is framed as a routine observance of bank holiday trading rules and staff time with family.
Aldi Store Closures: UK schedule and scale
The immediate fact: Aldi and Lidl will temporarily shut their larger outlets for 24 hours on April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday) in England and Wales because retail premises over 280 square metres are barred from trading on that day under the Sunday Trading Act 1994. The two German discounters will close more than 820 Lidl branches and over 1, 070 Aldi locations across the two nations. Aldi currently operates approximately 1, 086 stores nationwide, leaving only smaller-format outlets and exempt sites outside the mandatory closures.
What this means for shoppers and staff
During the same weekend Aldi stores will open from 8am to 9pm on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, shut for Easter Sunday, and then resume trading on Easter Monday with reduced hours of 8am to 8pm. Lidl has published similar adjustments, with stores in England and Wales expected to operate from approximately 9am to 10pm on Good Friday before the mandatory Sunday shutdown and shorter Easter Monday hours. Scottish shoppers will not be affected by the Easter Sunday restrictions because Scotland operates under a separate retail framework that permits trading regardless of store size; branches north of the border will maintain their normal Sunday opening hour.
Rachel Geary, communications director at Aldi UK, framed the closures around staff and family time: “Easter is a time for celebration and coming together with family and friends to enjoy great food – whether that’s a traditional British roast with all the trimmings or firing up the BBQ, if the spring weather allows. ” She added that the retailer aims to provide “unbeatable value” so shoppers can focus on “spending quality time with loved ones. ” Aldi has stated that the temporary closures give colleagues an opportunity to enjoy the bank holiday with their families.
What’s next for shoppers and the chains
Shoppers should note the adjusted Easter weekend schedule now set by both retailers and plan around the full-day shutdown on April 5. The chains have outlined the revised opening times for Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday to accommodate demand while observing the statutory closure. Retail footfall patterns and late-day reductions have been noted as quieter periods during the weekend, and some branches reduce product prices near the end of the day.
As this nationwide action unfolds, aldi store closures will remain in force on Easter Sunday and stores are scheduled to reopen on Easter Monday under the stated reduced hours. Expect local store variations to be published by the retailers ahead of the weekend and for staff schedules to reflect the announced bank holiday arrangements.
