We only have a few days left to get all the Christmas shopping sorted.
So to help you get your life in order, we’ve pulled together key opening times for supermarkets in Manchester over the holidays.
Many are running extended opening hours in the run-up to the big day, followed by shorter hours and closures on some big holidays, and this is particularly apparent on Boxing Day, when many more supermarkets will shut to give their staff a break after a turbulent couple of years.
Bear in mind that all of these are subject to change and should be checked on each supermarket’s website.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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Aldi
Credit: Aldi UK & Ireland
Monday 20 – Thursday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
Christmas Eve: 7am – 6pm
Christmas Day & Boxing Day: Closed
Monday 27 – Thursday 30 December: 8am – 10pm
New Year’s Eve: 8am – 6pm
New Year’s Day: Closed
Sunday 2 January: 9:30am – 4pm
Monday 3 January: 8am – 8pm
You can check your local store’s opening times on the Aldi website here.
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Tesco
Credit: Geograph
Tesco has plans to keep over 370 of its large stores open for 24 hours a day over the Christmas period in the run-up for Christmas Day.
Between 20 December and Christmas Eve, hundreds of stores will be open at all hours to help shoppers get their shopping done before the big day, but opening hours may vary by store – with customers advised to use the store locator to find specific opening times.
However, Tesco has said all its stores will close at 7pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with the exception of Express stores, which will remain open until 10pm on both dates.
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All of the chain’s stores will close on Christmas Day and all Tesco Extra stores and superstores will keep to Sunday opening hours on Boxing Day – with most Express stores open from 9am to 7pm on 26 December.
On New Year’s Day, most stores will be open between 8am to 6pm, except for its Express stores, which will close at 10pm.
You can check opening times via the Tesco Store Locator here.
Sainsbury’s
Credit: Sainsbury’s
Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
Christmas Day & Boxing Closed
Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 December: 7am – 9pm
New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
New Years Day: 9am – 7pm
You can check opening times via the Sainsbury’s Store Locator here.
M&S
All Marks & Spencer stores will open from 6am between 20 – 23 December, then on Christmas Eve, some stores will remain open until 8pm.
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All Marks & Spencer stores will close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
You can check your local store’s opening times on the M&S website here.
Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
Manchester announces ‘poignant’ plans to mark Remembrance Sunday with free city centre service
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to honour the ‘service and sacrifice’ of members of the armed forces community during this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
With Remembrance Day only a couple weeks away now, just as it does each year, Manchester City Council has now revealed how the city will mark this important occasion, and has confirmed all the details of the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade.
Proceedings will start on John Dalton Street at 10:30am, and run right through until midday – with the service itself being held at 11am.
Veterans, military personnel and cadets, all led by Greater Manchester Police‘s Band, will march from John Dalton Street to the Cenotaph St. Peter’s Square.
This will be followed by a short return march to Mount Street across St Peter’s Square.
The service will begin at the Cenotaph at 10:58am, and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am in tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict. The start and conclusion of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
/ Credit: Manchester City Council
Following the service, veterans, military personnel and cadets will take part in a short return march across St Peter’s Square to Mount Street.
As the Council marks another year of its partnership with the Royal British Legion, further the Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the city following the service – including arts and crafts sessions, memorial services, and performances.
“Remembrance Sunday is one of the most important occasions in Manchester’s civic calendar,” declared Councillor Shaukat Ali, who it the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
“It is a time for us to come together as a city to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of those from our diverse communities who have given so much in times of conflict. I want to encourage residents, families and visitors to join us at the Cenotaph as we pay our respects and ensure that the contribution of past and present generations is never forgotten.”
The Manc -
20th December 2021 
