Public holidays

There is no statutory entitlement to paid leave for public holidays. An employer can also choose to include bank holidays as part of a worker’s statutory annual leave.

Any pay entitlement relating to bank holidays is purely contractual, either through an express contractual term or through an implied term based on conduct or custom and practice. The only exception is in the retail sector, where the Christmas Day (Trading) Act 2004 prevents most stores — except small convenience stores — opening on Christmas Day.