Is there post on VE Day bank holiday Friday? All you need to know about Royal Mail deliveries and collections today

ANYONE expecting an important delivery this May bank holiday weekend is advised to make alternative arrangements.

While the VE Day bank holiday today (Friday, May 8) may seem like the perfect time to tick off some admin, many shops remain shut, while the Royal Mail won't be carrying out deliveries.

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Is the Post Office open on bank holiday Friday?

Usually, the Post Office closes its doors on bank holidays - and that's the same today for VE Day.

Selected local branches inside convenience stores may be open, however.

We'd recommend checking your local branch's opening times to be sure - you can find your nearest .

Opening times do vary from store to store.

Sorting houses will reopen again on Saturday as usual, from 9am until 12.30pm.

Royal Mail posties deliver letters and parcels six days a week, Monday to Saturday.

But officials say there are no deliveries or collections on bank holiday Friday, May 8 - unless you live in Scotland.

Officials say: "We deliver and collect your mail on most days of the year, including Saturdays.

"However, we don’t usually deliver or collect on bank and public holidays."

When are supermarkets and hardware stores open on VE Day?

Many people use bank holidays to tick off life admin tasks, DIY projects or just to stock up on groceries, so it's worth knowing where and when to shop.

Supermarkets will be opening for the special VE bank holiday, but some have adjusted their hours.

Plenty of stores are also running dedicated opening times for vulnerable people or NHS workers because of coronavirus, which may also apply over the weekend.

The government has asked everyone to limit their shopping as much as possible  while celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe.

Stores open on Friday are:

• Aldi, with stores open from 8am till 8pm on the bank holiday Friday
• Asda, hours unknown, so check the store before heading out
• Iceland, with stores open between 9am and 6pm
• Lidl, with stores open between 8am and 8pm
• M&S, will be opening usual hours
• Morrisons, with stores open between 7am and 10pm
• Sainsbury's, with stores open between 8am and 8pm
• Tesco, which is opening its biggest stores between 6am and 11pm
• Waitrose, with stores open between 8am and 8pm

Lots of people will take the chance to carry out home improvements with hardware stores opening their doors on Friday, May 8:

• B&Q, will open stores from 8am until 6pm
• Homebase, open from 10am to 5pm
• Screwfix open for collection only from 8am until 5pm

B&Q has now reopened all 288 of its stores nationwide although staff and customers will have to follow strict social distancing measures.

Homebase has reopened all of its stores across the UK after a successful trial of 20 stores back in April.

Screwfix stores remain closed for browsing but customers can pick up "essential" click and collect orders.

Wickes has only reopened six of its 230 stores with strict social distancing measures - please check the shops to see if they are open on VE Day.

Ikea hasn't yet reopened - although the chain is reportedly planning to open its UK stores towards the end of May.

The Swedish furniture giant temporarily shut its 22 stores on March 20 - a day before Britain went into lockdown.

However it is making contact-free deliveries.

Furniture retailer Dunelm also has home delivery on certain products.

Most other retail stores remain closed due to the shutdown.

But B&M, Poundland, Home Bargains and Wilko have also remained open but please check your local before heading out this bank holiday.

Brits should still only be heading to the shops for essentials as lockdown restrictions remain in force.

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