During the festive season, several major retailers in the North East have announced closures to allow their staff to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Here's a summary of the confirmed closures - The brands closing shops over Christmas - Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains:

Aldi

All Aldi stores will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reopening on Friday, December 27. This closure is to thank their colleagues for their hard work during the year.

John Lewis and Waitrose

The majority of Waitrose supermarkets and all standalone John Lewis stores will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, a few Waitrose shops attached to petrol stations and John Lewis shops within the Trafford and Stratford shopping centres may remain open.

Home Bargains

All 600 Home Bargains branches across the UK, including those in the North East, will be closed on Boxing Day. Stores will also close earlier on Christmas Eve, with trading finishing at 5 pm. Additionally, all shops will shut on New Year's Day.

B&Q

B&Q has announced that all its UK stores will be closed on Boxing Day to provide staff with a break. Stores will also close earlier than usual at 4pm on Christmas Eve. Branches in Scotland and on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey will also close on New Year's Day.

The Range

The Range, owned by CDS Stores, has announced it will close all branches on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. This decision aligns with their practice from previous years.

Poundland

Poundland, which operates over 850 shops in the UK, also closed on Boxing Day last year. While this year's closures haven't been confirmed yet, it's advisable to check their official communications for updates.

Beaverbrooks

All North East stores, including locations in Metrocentre, Newcastle Eldon Square, Sunderland Bridges Shopping Centre, and Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road, will be closed on Boxing Day. This continues their tradition of closing on Boxing Day to uphold their family-run company values.

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Supermarkets

While some supermarkets like Aldi and Waitrose have confirmed closures, others such as Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's may operate with reduced hours on Boxing Day. It's recommended to check the specific opening times of your local stores.

Local Shops

Many independent retailers may also choose to close or operate on reduced hours during the festive period. It's best to check directly with these stores for their holiday schedules.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consider visiting the official websites or contacting the customer service departments of the respective retailers.