asda petrol station
Credit: Ray Orton via Getty

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It’s Christmas! And although many households will be stocked to the rafters with all the turkeys, mince pies and alcohol you could ever need, there’s always the chance that come Christmas morning, you’ll realise… you’ve forgotten the gravy, or the cranberry sauce, or any tiny thing that could potentially slip through the net. That’s why it’s good to know where you can nip out to get essentials on the big day, whether it’s food, medicines or stopping for some petrol on the way to your Nan’s.

Supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day Credit: Jack Lee, Unsplash

In Greater Manchester, as with the rest of the UK, all major supermarket chains will be closed on Christmas Day (Thursday, 25 December 2025).

Under UK Sunday Trading laws (which also apply to Christmas Day), large stores over 280 square metres are legally required to remain closed. Smaller convenience stores are not legally bound by this, but nearly all major brands choose to close to give staff the day off.

Major supermarkets (closed)

The following will be fully closed across all Greater Manchester locations:

  • Tesco (Extra, Superstores, and Express)

  • Sainsbury’s (Superstores and Locals)

  • Asda (Superstores and Express)

  • Morrisons (Main stores and Daily)

  • Aldi & Lidl

  • Waitrose & M&S Food

  • Co-op

Petrol stations open on Christmas Day

Finding a petrol station on Christmas Day is usually much easier than finding a supermarket, as motorway services and many 24-hour forecourts remain operational.

Always open: Motorway service stations

By law, motorway service stations must remain open 24/7, 365 days a year. This includes fuel, toilets, and basic retail (like WHSmith). In Greater Manchester, these include:

  • Birch Services (M62): Eastbound and Westbound.

  • Hartshead Moor (M62): Eastbound and Westbound.

  • Charnock Richard (M6): Northbound and Southbound (near Wigan).

  • Keele (M6): South of Manchester.

Major Forecourt Brands

The following brands typically keep their 24-hour locations open, though they may operate through a night window (hatch service) rather than letting customers inside the shop.

  • BP: Many BP-owned stations remain open 24 hours. (e.g., BP Connect on Pollard Street or Princess Road).

  • Shell: Most Shell 24/7 stations remain open. Some franchised locations (like those with a Spar) may have reduced hours (usually 11:00am – 3:00pm).

  • Esso: The majority of 24-hour Esso sites stay open.

  • Euro Garages (EG Group): Many of these sites (often paired with a Spar or Londis) remain open 24/7.

Supermarket petrol stations

Supermarket-linked forecourts have the most varied hours:

Most Asda petrol stations are closed on Christmas Day. However, many offer Pay at the Pump services which remain active even if the kiosk is closed.

Greater Manchester Asda petrol stations open on Christmas Day: asda petrol stationCredit: Ray Orton via Getty

Morrisons petrol stations open on Christmas Day: morrisons petrol stationCredit: yevtony via Getty

Tesco and Sainsbury’s kiosks and forecourts are closed on Christmas Day.

Convenience stores & corner shops

In Greater Manchester, almost all national convenience store chains (Co-op, Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local) close on Christmas Day. However, because smaller shops are not restricted by Sunday Trading laws, you can still find essentials at specific types of locations.

Unlike Tesco or Sainsbury’s, many Spar and Nisa stores are owned by independent retailers who choose their own hours. You can find out your local store’s holiday hours via their store locators.

Credit: Spar Princess Street Independent Corner Shops

This is your best bet for milk, bread, or emergency batteries. Small, family-run independent shops in residential areas like Fallowfield, Cheetham Hill, Old Trafford, and Levenshulme often open for a few hours (typically 11:00am – 3:00pm).

Deliveroo & Uber Eats

If you’re stuck, Deliveroo and Uber Eats often have a few local “Dark Stores” or independent convenience shops active on the app on Christmas Day, though delivery fees may be higher.

Greater Manchester pharmacies open on Christmas Day rowlands pharmacyCredit: Rowlands Pharmacy

While most pharmacies close for Christmas Day, a small number of “duty pharmacies” across Greater Manchester are designated to stay open to ensure residents have access to emergency medication.

Based on the official NHS Greater Manchester schedules for Christmas Day (Thursday, 25 December 2025), here are the key locations confirmed to be open:

Manchester & Salford

  • Cameolord Pharmacy, 16 Oxford Street, City Centre, M1 5AE: 08:00 – 23:59
  • A & A Pharmacy, 58 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, M14 5AL: 10:00 – 22:00
  • Everest Pharmacy, 117b Withington Road, Whalley Range, M16 8EE: 12:00 – 18:00
  • Baguley Pharmacy, 37 Petersfield Drive, Wythenshawe, M23 9PS: 08:00 – 12:00
  • Rowlands Pharmacy, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Oxford Road, M13 9WH: 08:30 – 14:00

Bolton, Bury & Wigan

  • Landmark Pharmacy, 12 Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 4AP: 09:00 – 20:00
  • Shanti Pharmacy, 160 St Helens Road, Bolton, BL3 3PH: 08:00 – 12:00
  • Pimhole Pharmacy, 189 Rochdale Road, Bury, BL9 7BB: 10:00 – 20:00
  • Strachan’s Chemist, 166A Walmersley Road, Bury, BL9 6LL: 08:00 – 12:00
  • Allied Pharmacy, 391 Manchester Road, Astley, M29 7BY: 08:00 – 20:00

Stockport, Oldham & Rochdale

  • Medichem Pharmacy, 34-35 Woodley Precinct, Stockport, SK6 1RJ: 08:00 – 20:00
  • Glodwick Pharmacy, 137 Glodwick Road, Oldham, OL4 1YN: 16:00 – 20:00
  • Strand Pharmacy, 18 The Strand, Kirkholt, Rochdale, OL11 2JG: 16:00 – 20:00
  • Denton Pharmacy, 14 Ashton Road, Denton, M34 3EX: 08:00 – 20:00
  • Tesco Pharmacy, Manchester Road, Droylsden, M43 6TQ: 08:00 – 20:00

Tips for using pharmacies on Christmas Day

  • Call Ahead: Even though these hours are scheduled, it is highly recommended to phone the pharmacy before travelling to confirm they haven’t had emergency staffing changes.

  • Prescriptions: If you have an urgent clinical need and your local pharmacy is closed, you can call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk to find the nearest available service or get an emergency prescription.

  • Boots & Superdrug: Almost all high-street Boots and Superdrug branches (including the large ones in the Arndale & Trafford Centre) are closed on Christmas Day.