Supermarket heavyweight Morrisons has made a historic announcement about changes to their Christmas schedule this year.

Bosses declared on Tuesday that staff can have Boxing Day off as a thank you for their continued hard work during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The grocer's 111,000 employees will now get an extra day to enjoy celebrations with their loved ones over the Christmas period.

This marks the first ever time that the supermarket will remain shut on December 26. 

Last year, several of Morrison's competitors granted their staff the day off after a manic year saw supermarkets stretched to their limits as people stocked up during the pandemic. 

Despite Asda, Marks & Spencer, Pets At Home, Aldi, Lidl, and The Entertainer all remaining shut on Boxing Day, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's remained open, although some did offer staff an incentive to work. 

However, this year the chain has chosen to follow suite and remain closed for an additional day in the season of good will. 

Joanne McGuiness, national officer at shop workers’ union Usdaw, said: “The last year-and-a-half has been unlike any other.

“The pandemic meant shop workers stepped up and kept essential services running. We welcome Morrisons doing the right thing by their staff with the closure of supermarkets on Boxing Day."