Bank holidays are the chaos goblins of the opening hours world. At Charlton, they usually operate on Sunday hours—11 AM to 5 PM—even if the holiday falls on a Monday. But don’t trust me on that. Always check the M&S website before you leave the house. I once drove 20 minutes on a bank holiday Monday to find they were closed because “staff training.” I sat in the car park and ate a sad packet of crisps from a petrol station. Don’t be me.
Easter Sunday is a different beast entirely. It’s usually a full day off—no opening at all. So if you’ve got an egg craving on Easter, you’ll need to rely on a corner shop for a battered Creme Egg. You know what? That’s kind of poetic.
Christmas and New Year: the survival guide
Christmas Eve? They close early, often around 4:00 PM. Christmas Day? Closed—unless you want to try breaking in for a turkey crown (please don’t). Boxing Day? Usually 11 AM to 5 PM again, because Britain loves a good sales scramble. New Year’s Day is hit-or-miss: often closed entirely, or maybe open 11-5 if the staff are feeling generous.
Marks and Spencer Reveals New Year’s Opening Hours for 2026
My advice? Treat festive opening hours like a rare Pokémon. They exist, but you’ll need to do actual research to catch them. The M&S website has a “Store Finder” feature that’s surprisingly accurate—but only if you type in the exact postcode for Charlton (SE7 7QX, by the way, in case you’re taking notes).
