High street chemist chain Boots has announce extended opening hours over Christmas.

The opening hours will be extended across over 300 stores as the festive season fast approaches.

The longer hours come as more shoppers head to stores after national lockdown came to an end last week in an attempt to help shoppers go at quiter times and maintain social distancing guidelines. 

3,000 additional shopping hours

Over the next few weeks until Christmas Day, Boots will stay open for 3,000 additional shopping hours to help customers find the perfect gifts for their family and friends.

The decision comes after England’s national four week lockdown was lifted and non-essential shops were allowed to re-open.

Boots is expecting an influx of shoppers and warned that shoppers may need to queue outside to enter the store to help social distancing.

The retailer will also have more colleagues in hand than usual to help customers shop safely.

The move follows several other stores across the country that have extended opening hours for the festive season. Tesco is opening 300 of its stores for 24 hours from 14 December to Christmas Eve, and Primark has extended the opening hours of its stores nationwide.

Tracey Clements, Chief Operating Officer at Boots, said: “With lockdown easing in some areas of the UK today, for many, this is the real start of Christmas. Our shops have been open throughout the pandemic, so our colleagues are experts in helping you to shop safely and with confidence.

“To ensure a safe shopping experience we are extending the opening hours in 301 of our stores in England and will increase staffing in key cities.

“In the next 23 days until Christmas Day, we will have over 3,000 more hours for our customers who want to shop for those perfect gifts.”

How do I check the opening hours?

The later opening hours will vary from store to store, but shoppers can check their local branch’s hours online via the Boots website.