What time can you buy alcohol in the mornings? England, Scotland and Wales rules explained
RULES on alcohol purchases differ depending on where you are in the UK, so what time can you buy alcohol in the mornings?
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With just a few short days until Christmas, at the moment many are hoping to do their Christmas food shopping bright and early. So for the early birds looking to buy their family's favourite tipples this Christmas, read on to find out what time you can buy alcohol in the mornings across the UK.
England and Wales
In England and Wales, most stores usually allow you to purchase alcohol whenever they are open.
However, lockdown rules have affected the times alcohol can be sold in certain areas.
Shops with an off-licence cannot sell alcohol between 10pm and 6am in Wales.
However in England the sale of alcohol in shops and supermarkets hasn't been affected by restrictions.
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Lockdowns in England and Wales have also limited the sale of alcohol on hospitality premises.
In England, Tier 3 and Tier 4 areas have seen the full closures of hospitality businesses, including pubs and bars.
For most of December, lockdown rules have meant pubs have had to close at 6pm in Wales.
As well as restricted opening hours, pubs have also been banned from serving alcohol in Wales for several weeks.
After Christmas Day in Wales, all hospitality business will have to close except for takeaway, which will include pubs and bars.
Scotland
In Scotland the rules on purchasing alcohol are a bit stricter than in some other parts of the UK.
Between 10am and 10pm, alcohol can be purchased in shops and supermarkets in Scotland.
Some shops in Scotland may also choose only to sell alcohol from 12.30pm as well.
In Scotland the 24-hour selling of alcohol isn't permitted like it is in England.
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Northern Ireland
For most licensed premises, alcohol may be sold in Northern Ireland at the following times:
- From 11.30am to 11pm (except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas day)
- On Good Friday from 5pm to 11pm
- On Christmas Day and Sundays from 12.30pm to 10pm
Off licences cannot open on Good Friday or Christmas Day.
Off-licences can sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm (except on Sundays, Christmas Day and Easter Day).
On Sundays, off-licences can sell alcohol between 10am to 10pm.
This year during lockdown the Northern Ireland executive introduced further restrictions on when alcohol can be purchased.
From Boxing Day, off-licences and supermarkets are not permitted to sell alcohol after 8pm in Northern Ireland.