A HANDFUL of stores have announced that they will not open their stores on Boxing Day to help thank staff for their hard work during the pandemic.

Asda, Marks and Spencer, and The Entertainer have revealed they will not be open on December 26 which will allow staff to spend time with their families during the festive period.

All 631 Asda stores across the country, including the Asda superstore on Old Mill Lane, will be closed for two days as a Christmas break.

In a message to staff, Asda chief executive, Roger Burnley, said: "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."

Despite this announcement, Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's revealed the stores will open on Boxing Day for a limited number of hours.

However, workers at Tesco will be rewarded with an additional bonus, and Morrisons workers could be allocated double pay if they choose to work on December 26.

This change will apply to each of the mentioned stores across the borough.