Why The Entertainer toy shop will be closed on Christmas Eve

As Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year The Entertainer stores will be closed nationwide due to the religious beliefs of owner Gary Grant.

The stores have never opened on Sundays and so this festive date will be no different.

MORE: Here is when the supermarkets will be open and closed during Christmas and New Year

Mr Grant told the Mail on Sunday that closing the stores one day a week was important for families and that his staff deserved a day off.

He said: “I have given the concept of one day in seven as a day of rest a lot of thought and I am not making an exception just because it is Christmas Eve.”

He added: “People have said, ‘What even with Christmas Eve being a Sunday, you’re closed?’ And I say, ‘Well, what’s the difference? The principle is a day of rest.’ Staff may well be working six days a week, and long days. They need a break.”

Photo: Emma Hollings Photography

Mr Grant is a born-again Christian – or a "charismatic Christian" as he prefers, according to an interview with The Guardian.

His faith not only leads to his shops closing on Sundays, but is also the reason he refuses to sell Harry Potter merchandise and plastic trolls or get involved in Halloween.

The Entertainer first opened in 1981 and there are now more than 130 stores in the UK along with six international stores.

MORE: Shopping centre opening times and late nights for Christmas 2017

When shopping this Christmas Eve it’s important to remember most shops will be running on Sunday shopping hours so will be closing even earlier than usual.

Your local Entertainer stores are - 

Bromley

Bexleyheath

Orpington

Bluewater

Croydon

Kingston

Wimbledon

Wandsworth

So what do you think? On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, does it bother you that this toy shop will be closed? Let us know.