Marks & Spencer stores to stay open until 11pm for last-minute Christmas shopping

More than 300 M&S stores are to remain open until 11pm today as the retailer looks to make the most of last-minute Christmas shopping.

A number of its stores will also be open until 7pm on Christmas Eve, M&S has said in an email to customers.

The stores will close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and reopen on 27 December, in most cases from 8am to 8pm.

They will also close on New Year’s Day.

“Our teams really step up over the festive period to help make Christmas special for our customers, including working extra hours so we can keep our store doors open for longer,” said M&S stores director Helen Milford.

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“It’s a busy time for retail, so giving our colleagues Boxing Day and New Year’s Day off is a small thank you for their hard work delivering a remarkable Christmas for our customers.”

M&S is also extending its time limit for returns, allowing customers until 28 January to exchange any item bought between 13 October and Christmas Eve, with a valid receipt.