People are just realising a major discounter is closing all 600 stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

PEOPLE are just realising a major discounter is closing all of its 600 stores for three days over Christmas and New Years.

Home Bargains is pulling down the shutters on its branches on Boxing Day and New Year's Day to give staff time off.

The retailer will also be closed on Christmas Day as it is every year.

The discounter's shops will close early on Christmas Eve too, shutting branch doors at 5pm instead of the usual 8pm or 9pm.

A spokesperson for Home Bargains previously said: “We know how hard all our colleagues have worked throughout the year.

"Being a family-run business, we recognise the importance of spending quality time with our loved ones.

"Therefore, we feel it is only right to support our valued store teams by giving them extended time off around Christmas and New Year."

But some people are only just realising the retailer is shutting up shop on Boxing Day and New Year's Day despite it announcing the news in September.

That's because the discounter recently posted on its Facebook page reminding unaware customers of the news.

Commenting on the post, one person said: "Excellent to hear you look after your hard working staff. Well done."

Meanwhile, a second person said: "Really glad you are!!! It's everyone's Christmas we should all be chilling and relaxing."

A third added: "So you should be!! Well done management."

It's not always common practice for retailers to close their doors on Boxing Day, as it can be prime time to snap up customers.

But Home Bargains has shut its doors on December 26 for the last three years.

It's not the only retailer to confirm it is giving staff a well-earned break over the festive period either.

Aldi is pulling down the shutters on its stores on Boxing Day on top of closing on Christmas Day, as it does every year.

Richard Thornton, communications director for the retailer, said it recognised Christmas was "an important time for many" of its colleagues.

Meanwhile, frozen food specialist Iceland is shutting its branches on Boxing Day as well as Christmas Day.

Lidl will also pull down the shutters on all of its shops on Christmas Day and New Year's Day this festive break.

And giant chain Poundland is shutting stores on Boxing Day as well as Christmas Day.

Simon Well, people director for the retailer, said it had made the move to show how much it appreciated "how hard colleagues work during the year".