@Frenchfry yes – on specific days through the year (most commonly Mondays, but Boxing Day, for example, also counts as a bank holiday) the banks are closed, and businesses also close… shops open, of course, but typically only do Sunday trading hours, ie reduced hours. Most employers give 4 weeks paid holiday plus bank holidays. There are 8 permanent bank holidays, but these include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.