Town Openings: Good Friday Plans

Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays, but shops usually stay open on these days. However, on Easter Sunday, stores being open depends on their size and location. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, shops over 280 square metres are legally required to close on Easter Sunday, while in Scotland, this doesn't apply and shops can choose to remain open. Smaller shops can remain open across the UK, but this is at the store's discretion. Many shops may choose to close to give their staff a break.

Pharmacies can open on Good Friday

Pharmacies are generally allowed to operate on Good Friday, but this depends on the region and the specific regulations in place. For example, in New Zealand, there are typically three and a half days per year when most shops must close, and Good Friday is one of them. However, some shops can open with certain conditions or if they have an area exemption.

In Brisbane, Australia, the Red Hill Day & Night Pharmacy is open 365 days a year, indicating that pharmacies in this region can remain open on Good Friday. This particular pharmacy is open from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays and public holidays, including weekends.

It is important to note that regulations may vary by region, so it is always a good idea to check with your local pharmacy about their specific operating hours during holidays.

Garden centres are allowed to open

In the UK, many garden centres are open on Good Friday, including B&Q, Dobbies, and Longacres. These centres often have different opening hours on Good Friday and may be busier than usual, so it is worth checking their websites or social media pages before visiting.

In general, it is recommended to check with your local gardening centre directly to confirm their opening times over the Easter weekend, as independent and local garden centres may have varying hours or choose to remain closed.

Shops in Queenstown, Paihia, Picton, and Nelson can open

Shops that are allowed to open in these towns include those that sell only food, drink, household items, personal items, automotive fuel, lubricants, and accessories, with limited stock to meet the needs of the local area. Pharmacies, shops located at public transport terminals, and shops located in places where an exhibition or show is being held can also open. Additionally, shops whose principal business is selling souvenirs, duty-free goods, or prepared food ready for immediate consumption are permitted to operate.

It is important to note that these shops can only open within specified hours, from 7 am to 9 pm in Paihia and Picton. In Nelson, shops can open only if Founders Park is open.

Outside of these specified towns and conditions, shops in New Zealand generally must remain closed on Good Friday.

Shops selling souvenirs, duty-free goods, and food can open

In New Zealand, there are only three-and-a-half days a year on which the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 prevents most shops from opening. These days are Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and the first half of Anzac Day. However, shops selling souvenirs, duty-free goods, and food can open on these days.

On Good Friday, shops that sell souvenirs, duty-free goods, and food can open, but there are conditions that must be met. For example, shops selling food must ensure that the food is cooked or prepared and ready to be eaten immediately in the form in which it is sold. Similarly, shops selling souvenirs must ensure that the items are connected to a New Zealand place or New Zealand culture.

Shops that can open on Good Friday include small grocery shops, service stations, takeaways, bars, cafes, duty-free stores, shops providing services (without selling goods), real estate agencies, pharmacies, and garden centres (only on Easter Sunday). In addition, shops within actual exhibitions or shows devoted entirely or primarily to agriculture, art, industry, or science can also open.

It is important to note that there are some geographical exemptions to the shop shutdowns. For example, tourist resorts such as Taupō and Queenstown are exempt on Easter Sunday. Additionally, some local councils have implemented policies allowing shops in their areas to open on Easter Sunday.

While shops selling souvenirs, duty-free goods, and food can open on Good Friday, it is always a good idea to check with individual shops or local councils to confirm their opening hours during public holidays.

Shops at public transport stations can open

In New Zealand, shops at public transport stations can open on Good Friday, provided they only sell books, magazines, newspapers, duty-free items, or food that is ready to be eaten. This is one of the specified 'shop types' that are allowed to operate on restricted trading days. Other shops that can open on Good Friday include small grocery shops, service stations, duty-free stores, and shops providing services rather than goods (e.g. hairdressers).

In Australia, shops at public transport stations, such as airport and railway station outlets, are allowed to open on restricted trading days, including Good Friday. However, these shops must be staffed only by employees who have freely elected to work on that day.

In the UK, there are no trading hour restrictions in Scotland, and small shops in England and Wales can open any day or hour. Large shops over 280 square meters in England and Wales must close on Good Friday, but airport and railway station outlets are exempt from this rule.

Frequently asked questions