Asda to close all stores on Boxing Day

The retailer has confirmed that all of its 631 stores will close from 7pm on Christmas Eve and reopen on 27 December.

Chief executive and president, Roger Burnley, told staff: “This has been a challenging year and you have all done an incredible job, continuing to serve our customers and communities while juggling so many other commitments. But it’s also been challenging from a personal perspective as we have not been able to spend time with our families and friends, which has been hard for us all.

“As you know, the strict guidelines set out by the government will change between 23 and 27 December and more households will be able to gather together. This is of course our busiest time of year but it was important for us to give as many of you as possible the opportunity to spend this time with those loved ones that you may not have not seen for many months so, uniquely for this year, we will not reopen our stores until 27 December.”

Staff who were contracted to work on Boxing Day will be paid. In addition, Asda has also confirmed that all eligible hourly-paid colleagues are guaranteed to receive 100% of their bonus entitlement, which will be paid in February 2021.

Usdaw, the trade union for Asda workers in Northern Ireland, has welcomed the move. General secretary Paddy Lillis said: “When the country faced a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running. They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being worried about catching Covid-19.

“So we welcome Asda doing the right thing by their staff with the closure ‘of stores on Boxing Day. Key workers have done so much this year and we are asking retailers to give their staff the longest possible break over the festive season. We don’t think that is too much to ask for.”