Important Reminder: Bank Holiday Opening Hours for 2026 and 2027

Pharmacy contractors are encouraged to review their opening hours arrangements for the remainder of 2026 and throughout 2027, particularly where Bank Holidays fall at weekends.

Boxing Day – Saturday 26 December 2026

As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, the substitute Bank Holiday will be Monday 28 December. Saturday 26 December will be treated as a normal working day for pharmacy opening hours purposes. Pharmacies that normally open on Saturdays must therefore ensure they meet their contractual opening requirements unless a change has been approved or appropriately notified.

Please note the following arrangements:

• Core opening hours: If you wish to temporarily change your core hours on Saturday 26 December, you must submit a formal application to the ICB. Applications to close core hours on this date are likely to be refused. However, this should not deter you from applying if you wish to request a change. We encourage contractors to apply as early as possible and allow sufficient time for the application and any potential appeal process.
• Supplementary opening hours: If you wish to reduce your supplementary hours on this date, you must notify the ICB at least five weeks in advance. Please also ensure your NHS Directory of Services (DoS) information is updated accordingly.
• A combination of core and supplementary hours: You can notify a temporary change to your supplementary hours and remain open for your core hours. Alternatively, you can submit a separate application to change your core hours.
• Substitute Bank Holiday – Monday 28 December: Pharmacies are not required to open on the substitute Bank Holiday solely because it is the designated holiday. However, opening hours cannot be transferred from Saturday 26 December to Monday 28 December as an alternative to meeting your usual Saturday contractual hours.

Planning for Bank Holidays

Please check your contractual opening hours carefully when planning for Bank Holidays, particularly when Boxing Day or New Year’s Day falls at a weekend. The actual date may be treated as a normal working day when a substitute Bank Holiday is designated for the following Monday.

Pharmacies are generally not required to open on designated Bank Holidays, unless specifically directed to do so. Contractors who choose to open are encouraged to ensure their DoS information accurately reflects their availability, so patients and NHS services can access up-to-date information.

Please plan ahead: Do not assume that a substitute Bank Holiday automatically permits closure on the preceding Saturday or Sunday. Ensure any required applications or notifications are submitted in good time.

Further guidance

• CPE: Pharmacy bank holiday opening hours for the remainder of 2026 and in 2027 (PDF) – national guidance on key dates and contractual requirements.

For further information on the application and notification processes for changes to core or supplementary opening hours, please visit our Opening Hours page.