A HUNDRED members of staff at two Home Bargains stores in Swindon have been given an early Christmas present.

They have been told they won’t have to work this Boxing Day because the store will be shut.

Normally they would be preparing to put in a shift on what is historically one of the busiest trading days of the retail calendar.

But Tom Morris, the founder of the chain, has decided to do things differently this year.

The managing director says staff who have been working hard in the run up to the big day should be able to spend Boxing Day with family and friends.

Staff at both stores are elated at their pre-Christmas present from the boss.

One member of the management team at the Barnfield Road branch said: “Everyone is so grateful to Tom for this brilliant surprise.

“We work hard all year round and it is fantastic to see that our contribution hasn’t gone unnoticed – this really is a fantastic gift.”

Mr Morris explained: “Christmas is a significant period in the retail calendar, and with staff across the business spending months building up to the occasion every year, we wanted to give them an opportunity to relax and truly enjoy the break with their loved ones.

“Home Bargains is a family-run business and we know the importance of being with loved ones at Christmas time.

“We also appreciate that our staff work tirelessly to keep over 500 of our stores running like clockwork, so giving everyone Boxing Day off is our way of saying thank you for their hard work and commitment.”

Mr Morris added: “We look forward to welcoming shoppers back through our doors on Thursday December 27.”

Last year the firm decided to keep a selection of its branches closed on the bank holiday.

But this year will see the doors of all of them closed while the 17,000 employees benefit from an extra day’s holiday without giving up any of their holiday allowance.

The move won support after the company tweeted its thanks to the workers and told customers what was happening.

“About time too, well done HB for taking the lead and have a fab couple of days off all the hardworking staff. No one needs to be anywhere near a shop on Boxing Day,” tweeted one follower.

Another posted on Facebook: “Well done! All retail and food stores should close on Boxing Day. The public can survive! Give staff a well deserved break. Hopefully others will follow suit.”