High street retailer Home Bargains has announced that staff will receive extra pay in the run up to Christmas - and shared the heartwarming reason why all stores will be closed on Boxing Day.

The company confirmed that stores will close at the earlier time of 5pm on Christmas Eve so that all staff can be home in time for the Christmas Eve bell ringing at 6pm.

The discount retailer also said that, once again, all stores will be closed on Boxing Day (December 26)

In a statement, Home Bargains said: "Whilst Boxing Day is traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, the family-run business wants its staff to make the most of the Christmas break and spend more time with loved ones over the festive period."

In addition to the time off, many members of staff will also see two weeks’ extra salary hit their bank accounts in November, just in time for Christmas.

In April 2020, Home Bargains announced that any team member required to self-isolate due to Covid-19 would receive up to two weeks' pay.

Now, the retailer wants to ensure all employees receive that pay, regardless of whether they have been required to self-isolate or not.

As such, the company has stated that any member of staff employed before March 22, who has not needed to self-isolate over the last seven months, will now receive two weeks’ extra pay in November.