Colchester Boxing Day closures including Aldi, Lidl and M&S

Whether it is nursing hangovers, enjoying leftovers or cleaning up from the festive mess, there is plenty to get on with.

For some, after the craziness of Christmas, they are back out onto the streets to take advantage of the Boxing Day sales.

The younger brother of the January sales, Boxing Day can often see keen shoppers to get out and take advantage of cheap deals or return those clothes that mum brought which are too big or small.

However, not all shops will be open on Boxing Day, with several announcing they are closed on December 25 and 26.

Here are some of the shops which won’t be opening their doors on Boxing Day.

Waitrose

The popular upmarket retailer is closing all its stories on Christmas Day, except those in Welcome Break service stations and Shell forecourts.

On Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, most of its shops will remain closed, with a small number remaining open.

Colchester’s store is closed on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Aldi

Aldi being opened at Stane Park in 2021 (Image: Public)

Aldi has also announced it is closing its doors on Boxing Day.

The supermarket chain, which has 1,000 stores across the UK, announced the closure as a way of thanking its staff.

The communications director at Aldi UK, Richard Thornton, said: “We recognise that Christmas is an important time for many of our colleagues and keeping our stores closed on Boxing Day gives them more time to spend with their families."

Poundland

Budget store Poundland said it was once again closing all its stores on Boxing Day to give staff a “well-earned break”.

The popular retailer has two sites in Colchester which will be closed, in Culver Street East and at the Turner Rise Retail Park.

Simon Wells, people director at Poundland said: "We really appreciate how hard our colleagues work during the year and closing the stores on these additional days over Christmas and New Year is our way of saying thank you to them – not least because this quarter has been especially busy with new store openings.

“Their efforts are appreciated and we hope they enjoy a well-earned break with family and friends over the festive period.”

Home Bargains

Another frequent Boxing Day closer is Home Bargains, and this year is no different.

The budget retailer revealed at its annual conference every branch in the chain will shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day so that staff can spend time with their loved ones.  

The company also confirmed that its stores will close for the day at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve for the same reason, to give colleagues more time off to spend time with friends and families.

Lidl

The Lidl site in St Andrew’s Avenue, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

The discounter confirmed it will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with many of its stores shut for Boxing Day.

With opening times varying across its shops, customers are encouraged to check the timings for their local Lidl on its online store finder.

However, all three stores across Colchester will be closing their doors on Boxing Day.

M&S

Marks and Spencer said it was shutting its stores, support centres and distribution centres on Boxing Day this year.

The site, which was newly opened at Stane Park last year, will be one of thousands closing across the country.

The retailer announced that December 18 to 22, more than 400 of its stores will open from 6am to 10pm to "make it easier for customers to shop at a time that's convenient for them".

A number of stores will be open until 10pm on Saturday, December 23 and 4pm on Christmas Eve for any last-minute purchases.

Iceland

Colchester has three Iceland stores, all of which will be closing this Boxing Day.

The supermarket chain confirmed that all of its 1,000 Iceland and Food Warehouse stores would be affected.

Tesco

Sir Bob Russell opens the High Street Tesco Express store with supermarket workers last summer (Image: Public)

The store in the Hythe is due to close on Boxing Day, however, this is the only Tesco across the city set to close on December 26.

Colchester boasts six other Tesco stores, which include Express and Extra branches.

All of which will remain open on Boxing Day, with opening times varying.

The Range

The Range also said it will give staff more time to spend with their families this festive season.

As a result, no stores in the UK will be open on December 25 or December 26.

Alex Simpkin, CEO of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range, said: “It’s been an incredible year and I can’t thank all our hard-working team members enough. 

"We believe everyone deserves a well-earned break over the festive season, so we’ve taken the decision to close for the two-day break, no exceptions.

“We’ve another exciting year ahead, we’ll be further strengthening The Range brand and continuing our ambitious roll-out of Wilko stores across the UK and want to make sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy time with friends and family.”

With all Boxing Day closures, shoppers are advised to check the official opening times on the store’s website.