London Business Hours Guide
Banks, shops, restaurants, and government hours in the UK capital
⚡ Quick Answer
Most businesses in London operate Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM (GMT/BST). Banks typically close at 4:30-5 PM, retail shops stay open later (often until 8-9 PM in central London), and Sunday trading laws limit large stores to 6 hours (usually 11 AM - 5 PM or 12 PM - 6 PM).
London has its own rhythm when it comes to business hours — and it's quite different from other major cities. The biggest surprise for visitors? Sunday trading restrictions mean large stores can only open for 6 hours, a law unique to England and Wales.
Whether you're planning meetings, need to visit a bank, or want to know if the shops will be open after work, this guide covers everything you need to know about when London does business.
Key takeaway: Weekdays are fairly predictable (9-5:30ish), Saturdays have extended retail hours, but Sundays require planning due to restricted opening times.
🏦 Bank Hours
| Bank Type | Mon-Fri | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Street Banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM | 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM (some branches) | Closed |
| Metro Bank | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Post Office Banking Services | 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM | 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Closed (most) |
💡 Good to Know
- • Most banks close early on Saturdays — usually by 12:30 PM
- • Metro Bank is the exception with 7-day opening
- • Many high street banks have reduced their branch networks — always check online first
- • Post Offices offer banking services for most UK banks (deposits, withdrawals)
- • Bank holidays = all banks closed
🛍️ Retail & Shopping Hours
| Store Type | Mon-Sat | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| Large Supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda) | 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (6 hours) |
| Small Convenience Stores | 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM | All day (exempt from Sunday trading) |
| Department Stores (Selfridges, John Lewis, Harrods) | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM | 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Oxford Street / West End | 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
| Local High Street Shops | 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM | Closed or limited hours |
| Westfield Shopping Centres | 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
⚠️ Sunday Trading Laws Explained
In England and Wales, shops over 280 square metres can only open for 6 consecutive hours on Sundays.
- • Large stores choose their 6-hour window (usually 10 AM - 4 PM, 11 AM - 5 PM, or 12 PM - 6 PM)
- • Small shops (under 280 sqm) can open all day — including corner shops, newsagents, etc.
- • Scotland has no Sunday trading restrictions
- • Christmas Day and Easter Sunday: most large stores must close entirely
🍽️ Restaurants & Pubs
| Venue Type | Typical Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Pubs | 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM | Many close earlier on Sundays (10:30 PM) |
| City Centre Bars | 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM (later Fri/Sat) | Some have late licenses until 2-3 AM |
| Restaurants | 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM | Last orders usually 30 mins before close |
| Cafés | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM | Some stay open later in central London |
| Fast Food Chains | 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM | 24-hour locations in Leicester Sq, Victoria |
🍺 Pub Culture Notes
- • "Last orders" is called 10-15 minutes before closing
- • Many pubs serve food until 9-10 PM only (kitchen closes early)
- • Sunday roasts typically served 12 PM - 4 PM
- • Bank holiday Mondays often have normal opening hours
🏛️ Museums & Attractions
| Attraction | Hours | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|---|
| British Museum | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Fri until 8:30 PM) | Weekday mornings, Friday evenings |
| Natural History Museum | 10:00 AM - 5:50 PM daily | Weekdays after 2 PM (school groups leave) |
| Tate Modern | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Fri/Sat until 10 PM) | Friday evenings are quieter |
| Tower of London | 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (varies seasonally) | Opening time or late afternoon |
| National Gallery | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Fri until 9 PM) | Friday evening, weekday mornings |
💡 Pro Tips for Museums
- • Most national museums are free (British Museum, Natural History, V&A, etc.)
- • Friday evening "late" openings are less crowded and often have special events
- • School holidays (half-terms, summer) = much busier
- • Book timed tickets online even for free museums to skip queues
🏛️ Government & Public Services
| Service | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Post Office (main branches) | Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sat 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Trafalgar Square branch open 7 days |
| DVLA (driving services) | Online 24/7, Phone Mon-Fri 8 AM - 7 PM, Sat 8 AM - 2 PM | Most services done online or by post |
| GP Surgeries | Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM | Some offer extended hours; 111 for out-of-hours |
| Council Offices | Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Appointment often required |
| Libraries | Varies widely by borough | Many open Saturdays, some Sundays |
🚇 Transport Hours
| Service | Operating Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| London Underground | 5:00 AM - 12:30 AM (varies by line) | Night Tube: Fri/Sat on 5 lines (24-hour) |
| Buses | 24 hours (many routes) | "N" night buses run 24/7 |
| Overground / Elizabeth Line | 5:30 AM - 12:00 AM | Some Night Overground on Fri/Sat |
| National Rail (into London) | 5:00 AM - 12:30 AM (varies) | First/last trains vary by route |
🌙 Night Tube Lines (24-hour Fri/Sat)
Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern, Piccadilly lines run all night on Fridays and Saturdays. Perfect for late nights out without the night bus.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why do shops close early on Sundays?
The Sunday Trading Act 1994 restricts large stores (over 280 sqm) to 6 hours on Sundays. It was a compromise between retail lobbies and those wanting to preserve Sunday as a rest day.
Are shops open on bank holidays?
Most shops treat bank holidays like Sundays (6-hour limit for large stores). Exception: Christmas Day and Easter Sunday, when most large shops must close entirely.
What's open late in London?
Supermarkets (small ones), some restaurants/bars, 24-hour McDonald's/KFC in central areas, pharmacies in major stations, and of course the Night Tube on weekends.
When is the best day for shopping in London?
Saturday offers the most hours, but also the biggest crowds. Thursday evenings in the West End (late-night shopping) or weekday mornings are quieter options.
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Last updated: December 2024.