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The Tesco store in Kettering will be among 252 of the company's biggest shops to open on December 26, compared with 120 last year and just 10 the year before.

But the Tesco store in Wellingborough, as well as Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons stores

in north Northamptonshire, have all chosen not to open on St Stephen's Day, which falls on a Saturday this year.


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Tesco retail director David Potts said: "When we opened for the first time properly on Boxing Day last year we thought it was just for some people wanting to pick up televisions in the sale and we were shocked at the queues of people doing their food shopping.

"People really wanted to come in and do a full grocery shop – milk, vegetables, bread and meat – and restock their fridges."

Shoppers at Tesco in Carina Road, Kettering, said Boxing Day opening was not necessary.

Vanessa Swingler, 29, of Burton Latimer, said: "I'll probably be already organised by then. We've usually got everything sorted. Most people go to see relatives on Boxing Day."

Beryl Cave, 71, of Naseby, said: "I don't think they should open. They should give the workers a rest and let them spend time with their families."

A spokesman for Usdaw, the shop, distribution and allied workers' union, said: "We would prefer stores not to open at all on Boxing Day to give all retail staff the chance to spend time with their families.

"If other retailers choose to open, we hope they will follow the lead of the larger retailers and ensure all working on the day is voluntary and attracts premium pay."

The Rev Dominic Barrington, parish priest of St Peter and St Paul's Church, Kettering, said: "Boxing Day is a saint's day but a relatively minor one.

"There are saints' days throughout the year on days when Tesco opens anyway.

"If it was Christmas Day I'd have something to say. My concern would be if workers were not able to fulfil their religious obligations."