Opening times
Opening times for businesses and services can vary hugely. Use this guide as a very general outline for what to expect, but for exact opening times you should contact the organisation directly. Also note, most British businesses do not close for lunch:
| Banks & building societies | 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday
09:00-12:30 Saturday (limited branches) |
| Clinics and doctors' surgeries | 08:30-18:00* Monday-Friday
*Many surgeries and clinics only see patients during certain hours. Some offer out-of-hours and weekend services.
If you have a medical emergency you should go to the Accident and Emergency department of the nearest hospital – Emergency services can be called free on 999. |
| Emergency services – hospitals, police and fire stations | 24 hours a day
You can call emergency services free on 999
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| High street shops | 10:00-18:30* Monday-Saturday
11:00-17:00* Sunday
*Larger shopping areas and centres may stay open later, sometimes up to 22:00, especially in busy periods like Christmas.
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| Museums & galleries | 10:00-17:30* Monday-Saturday
Around lunchtime – 17:30* Sunday
*Times vary and some museums and galleries may close one day during the week.
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| Nightclubs | 10:00-04:00*
*Nightclub closing times can vary greatly, some close around 02:00, while some stay open all night.
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| Post offices | 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday
09:00-12:30 Saturday (main offices only)
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| Pubs | 11:00-23:00* Monday-Saturday
11:00-22:30* Sunday
*Pubs in Britain have had the right to apply for a 24-hour drinking licence, so you will frequently find pubs open well after 23:00.
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| Restaurants | 18:00-11:00*
*Again, opening times can vary
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| Supermarkets | 09:00-22:00 Monday-Sunday |
| Taxi stations | 24 hours a day |
| Tourist information centres | 09:00-18:00* Monday-Friday
09:00-17:00* Weekends
Opening time vary, especially weekends. Some centres may close on Sundays.
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