What Is Open on New Year’s Day in the UK?
The first day of the year often begins with a mix of sleepy heads, fresh resolutions, and an urgent need for essentials, whether that’s milk, medicine, or a ready meal to get through the day. And every year, people across the UK are left asking the same thing: Which shops are open on New Year’s Day?
To help you make the most of your 1st of January and avoid unnecessary trips, we’ve compiled a detailed guide to which UK supermarkets, high street shops, and retail parks are open on New Year’s Day 2026.
Our on-the-ground contributor, Alison, spent the morning visiting local branches and browsing official store locators to bring you the most accurate information.
Alongside Alison’s updates, our author Jonathan shared his New Year’s reflections:
“There’s something magical about shopping on New Year’s Day—less rush, friendly faces, and a quiet buzz in the air. It feels like the country gently waking up from a collective nap.” – Jonathan, UK Startup Magazine
So if you’re planning a little outing or just want to know where to grab the basics, here’s everything you need to know.
How Do Supermarket Hours Change Over the New Year?
Every year, major UK supermarkets revise their opening hours over the festive period, and New Year’s Day is no exception. Most chains close early on New Year’s Eve, and some like Aldi, Lidl, and Marks & Spencer, shut their doors entirely on 1st January.
While you won’t find uniform opening hours across the board, we’ve broken down the expected hours below. Whether you’re heading to your local Tesco Express or planning to brave a busy Sainsbury’s, it’s always best to check your nearest branch with their online store locators.
You can visit the official Tesco store locator, Sainsbury’s store finder or Asda store locator to double-check the hours in your area.
Which Supermarkets Are Open on New Year’s Day 2026?
Alison personally visited a few stores in and around London to see which doors were open. The atmosphere, she notes, was relaxed and welcoming—a stark contrast to the pre-Christmas shopping chaos.
The table below gives a clear overview of supermarket opening hours on New Year’s Day 2026:
Supermarket Opening Hours – 1 January 2026
| Supermarket | Status | Expected Hours | Notes |
| Tesco | Open | Express: 8am–10pm Superstore: 9am–6pm |
Varies by location |
| Sainsbury’s | Open | Supermarkets: 8am–8pm Convenience: 9am–9pm |
Consistent across most UK areas |
| Asda | Open | 9am–6pm | Some 24/7 petrol stations |
| Morrisons | Open | 9am–6pm | Reduced hours in Scotland |
| Co-op | Open | 9am–8pm or 10am–7pm | Check local branch |
| Waitrose | Mostly Open | 10am–6pm | May vary slightly |
| Iceland | Some Open | 10am–5pm | Regional differences apply |
| Aldi | Closed | — | Closed nationwide |
| Lidl | Mostly Closed | Some inside M25: 10am–6pm | London exceptions only |
| M&S | Mostly Closed | BP locations may open | Check forecourt store hours |
Are Retail Parks and High Street Stores Open?
While supermarkets are your safest bet for shopping on New Year’s Day, retail parks and high street shops offer a mixed experience.
Alison explored several major retail destinations including Westfield Stratford, Bluewater, and a smaller high street in Reading. Her findings? Larger retail parks tend to be partially open, while smaller independent high street stores are more likely to stay closed.
Shops like Boots, Next, and WHSmith typically open in retail park locations. For instance, Westfield London is expected to open from 10am to 6pm, though individual store hours may differ.
Department stores such as John Lewis and House of Fraser are often closed on New Year’s Day, while Next is known for launching its legendary sale in selected branches. You can check for local openings using the Next store finder.
What About Convenience Stores and Local Shops?
If the big names aren’t open near you, your local convenience store is your most reliable option on 1st January.
During her rounds, Alison saw that smaller stores, such as Costcutter, Londis, Premier, and One Stop—were almost universally open, especially in residential areas. These are ideal for picking up bread, milk, or even a celebratory bottle of bubbly if the night continues.
Many Co-op Food stores, both franchise and corporate-owned, also operate on reduced but accessible hours, typically between 9am and 8pm.
Which Shops and Services Remain Closed?
New Year’s Day is a UK bank holiday, so several services and businesses take a break.
This includes:
- Banks and building societies
- Post offices
- Recycling centres
- Most council services
- Boutique and family-run high street shops
That said, digital services like online shopping and customer support may also be limited, particularly for returns, refunds, and deliveries. If you’re considering any kind of post-holiday admin, it’s best to hold off until 2 January, when normal business hours resume.
What Was Alison’s Experience on the Day?
Alison’s walk through a few London boroughs gave her a good feel for the day’s rhythm.
In her words:
“The atmosphere felt like a soft restart—quiet but not lifeless. People were friendly, shops had calm energy, and you could see neighbours smiling over shared resolutions in the checkout queue.”
At a Tesco Express, she saw couples grabbing groceries for a roast, while in Superdrug, a steady trickle of customers stocked up on vitamins and skincare deals. A nearby Costa Coffee was humming with light chatter and fresh starts.
It wasn’t the frantic, last-minute energy of Christmas Eve—it was warm, intentional, and hopeful.
What Should You Know Before You Head Out?
Planning is the key to a successful New Year’s Day shop. While many stores are open, most operate with reduced staff and limited hours, which can lead to small queues and out-of-stock items.
Avoid disappointment by following these steps:
- Check store locators before travelling to ensure your chosen branch is open
- Shop early to avoid stock issues and closing times
- Use public transport wisely, as many bus and train services operate on holiday timetables (see TfL holiday travel info)
If you’re looking to return items bought over Christmas, most retailers resume returns services on 2 January, even if stores are open for general trading on the 1st.
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Shop on New Year’s Day?
To wrap it up, New Year’s Day doesn’t mean total shutdown—just a slower pace. Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons are open for the essentials. Retail parks offer some options for bargain hunters, while convenience stores continue to be a saving grace in most neighbourhoods.
Avoid making long trips without checking store hours online, and lean into the slower pace of the day.
As Jonathan puts it:
“There’s no rush on the first of January. The city feels gentle, and the little errands—grabbing milk, picking up a loaf of bread—suddenly feel like part of the celebration.”
Here’s to fresh starts, easy shopping, and embracing the New Year with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all supermarkets open on New Year’s Day in the UK?
No, supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and M&S are closed on New Year’s Day, while Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, and Co-op remain open with reduced hours.
Can I return items on New Year’s Day?
Most stores delay the start of their returns service until 2 January, even if they’re open for regular trading.
Are high street shops like Next open?
Yes, some Next stores, particularly those in retail parks, open on New Year’s Day for their annual sale. City centre locations may remain closed.
Do pharmacies open on New Year’s Day?
Selected Boots stores are open, especially in travel hubs. Smaller pharmacies are likely to remain closed.
Will local buses and trains run on New Year’s Day?
Yes, but on reduced schedules. Check TfL’s holiday timetable or your regional operator’s website.
What’s the busiest time to shop on 1 January?
Late morning to early afternoon tends to be the busiest, so it’s best to shop before 11am or after 3pm if you prefer quiet aisles.
Are petrol stations open?
Yes, most 24/7 petrol stations, especially those with convenience store chains like Tesco Express or M&S Simply Food, remain open on New Year’s Day.
