New Year’s Eve 2025 opening times for banks, pharmacies and cafes

As the festive season draws to a close and attention turns to ringing in the New Year, some of you may be planning last-minute errands.

For those who do need to visit a bank branch in the coming days, or nip to a pharmacy or a cafe, it’s worth noting that opening hours will differ from the norm on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

In the UK, New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31) isn’t a public holiday, but most high-street stores will close early, while New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1) is a bank holiday, meaning branches will be shut altogether.

Here’s everything you need to know about opening hours over the New Year period.

When are banks closing on New Year’s Eve?

Many banks will close early on Wednesday, December 31. Most major branches should be open as follows:

• Santander – likely to close at 2pm
• Lloyds – likely to close at 2pm
• Barclays – likely to close at 3pm
• HSBC – likely to close at 1pm
• Nationwide – likely to close at 3pm
• NatWest – likely to close at 2pm

It’s best to double-check with your local branch to see what time they close on New Year’s Eve, as individual times could vary. Most banks will have store locators on their websites.

Will banks be open on New Year’s Day?

All UK bank branches will be closed all day on Thursday, January 1.

You can, however, still use cash machines if you need to withdraw funds.

Similarly, you’ll be able to pay using online banking, but payments and deposits might take longer to process.

Most banks will open again on Friday, January 2, as normal.

Are pharmacies open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?

New Year’s Eve

Opening hours over the next couple of days vary hugely at two of the UK’s major pharmacies.

It’s best to check online or ring your local store before visiting to avoid disappointment.

You’ll find Superdrug’s store locator here and Boots’ here.

• Boots– likely to close between 5pm and 8pm
• Superdrug – likely to close between 5pm and 5.30pm with some open later

New Year’s Day

• Boots– many closed with some open from around 9am to 5pm
• Superdrug – many open, mostly from 9am to 6.30pm

What time do Costa, Starbucks and Pret close on New Year’s Eve?

Once again, it’s a good idea to check your local store’s opening times as they do vary.

Beware, the times below are only guidelines and shouldn’t be relied on.

New Year’s Eve

Costa’s store locator is here, Starbucks’ can be found here and Pret’s here.

• Costa– generally open till around 5.30pm but many stay open later
• Starbucks – mostly open until between 5pm and 7pm
• Pret a Manger – generally closing around 6.30pm

New Year’s Day

• Costa– generally open from around 6am till around 8pm
• Starbucks – largely opening from around 8am till between 6pm and 8pm
• Pret a Manger – generally open from 7am till around 6pm

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