Bank holidays

Question

Does anyone have an idea why public holdays are called Bank holidays in England? Does it really have to do with Banks?Cheers,inomics

Eargasms · Accepted Answer

What are bank holidays? when is bank holiday
British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when banks were shut and so no trading could take place. Even though Banks are still closed on these days many shops now remain open.

Anonymous · Answer

bank holiday noun [C] UK
an official holiday when banks and most businesses are closed for a day

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YoHf · Answer

We have something like that here in Italy as well... <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Inomics · Answer

Interesting suggestions. Thanks!

inomics

Irnic · Answer

Bank and Public Holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are:

New Year's Day

Christmas

Good Friday

Eastern Monday (In Scotland "Easter Monday" is not a bank holiday although is observed by many)

Early May (First Monday in May)

May Day

Spring Bank Holiday (Last Monday in May)

Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August)

Boxing Day

Sain't Andrew's Day

Saint Patrick's Day (Ireland)

Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)

Public Holiday include Bank Holidays. Banks are not allowed to operate on bank holidays. When public holidays in the Christmas and New Year period fall on Saturdays and Sundays, alternative week days are declared public holidays.
Bank holidays were introduced in the 1971 Banking and Financial Dealings Act. Strangely Christmas and Good Friday are not legally considered as bank holidays in England, Wales and Ireland because they were already recognized as public holidays (common law). But in the spirit of things they are bank holidays really.

Nona the brit · Answer

Not all of those are holidays in each of the countries.

Official Bank Holidays and Public Holidays

England and Wales: New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (8 a year).

Scotland: New Years Day, 2nd January, Good Friday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, St Andrews Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (9 a year).

Northern Ireland: New Years Day, St Patricks Day, Good Friday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Battle of the Boyne, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (9 a year).

Bank holidays

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