Festive 2025 Opening Hours and Service Availability – North East Lincolnshire Council

Breaking: North East Lincolnshire Outlines Christmas Services Schedule

Authorities in North East Lincolnshire have released an emergency-style briefing detailing christmas Week operations for markets, support services, and transport. The guidance aims to keep essential services accessible while noting holiday closures and early January reopens.

Live Updates: Market, support, and Transport

The Top Town Market in Grimsby will operate daily ahead of Christmas, closing only on December 25th. Hours are monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Christmas Eve from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The market will close on Christmas Day and resume normal hours from Friday, 2 January 2026, with fresh food stalls returning on Tuesday, 6 January 2026.

The Domestic Abuse Services Hub run by Women’s Aid at 15 Wellowgate, Grimsby, will maintain regular hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hub will close on christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, but phone support is available 24/7 at 01472 575757 (option 1), with continuous access to assistance during the holidays.

Emergency food provisions remain accessible, with information and opening times listed on the North east Lincolnshire Simply Connect platform at nelincs.simplyconnect.uk. Residents are encouraged to check the site for specifics during the festive period.

public Transport And Other Services

Public transport schedules will see changes over the festive period. Residents should verify amended hours at the council’s dedicated page: nelincs.gov.uk/public-transport-over-christmas.

Age UK And Bus Pass Information

Age UK Grimsby Office will be closed 24 December through 28 December, reopening 29 December to 31 December from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will close again on 1 January and resume normal hours from Friday, 2 January 2026.the Cleethorpes Office will be closed from 24 December to 5 January 2026.

bus passes can be renewed at either Age UK office during their respective opening times or online via the council’s bus-pass portal at nelincs.gov.uk/bus-pass.

Adult Social Care

If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult or need support yourself, contact the North east Lincolnshire Single Point of Access (SPA) at 01472 256256. The service is available 24/7, including holidays. Additional information is available at Focused Adult Social Work’s site: focusadultsocialwork.co.uk.

for services not listed here, visit the council’s main site at nelincs.gov.uk.

Key Facts In One Table

Service	Location / Office	Christmas Hours	Notes / Reopen Dates
Top Town market	Grimsby	Mon-Sat 9:00-16:00; Sun 10:30-16:30; Christmas Eve 8:00-15:00	Closed Christmas Day; Reopens Fri 2 Jan 2026; Fresh stalls from Tue 6 Jan 2026
Domestic Abuse Services Hub	15 Wellowgate, Grimsby	Open Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00; Closed Christmas Day, boxing Day, New Year’s Day	24/7 support by phone: [phone] (option 1); no holiday closures for urgent help
Emergency Food Provisions	Online information portal	Check site for openings	See nelincs.simplyconnect.uk for current hours
Public Transport	North East Lincolnshire area	Amended festive hours; verify	See nelincs.gov.uk/public-transport-over-christmas
Age UK Grimsby Office	Grimsby Office	Closed 24-28 Dec; 29-31 Dec 10:00-14:00; closed 1 Jan; reopen normal 2 Jan 2026	Bus pass renewals available at offices or online
Age UK Cleethorpes Office	Cleethorpes Office	Closed 24 Dec-5 Jan
Adult Social Care	North East Lincolnshire SPA	24/7 availability; holidays included	Phone: [phone]; more info at focusadultsocialwork.co.uk
General Info	NEL Council Site	N/A	Additional services and updates at nelincs.gov.uk

Engagement ask: How will you navigate these schedules during the holidays? Do you plan to visit the market, access support services, or check transport updates first? Share your plans and experiences in the comments.

For ongoing updates, follow official council channels and visit linked external resources for authoritative guidance.

Booking system stays open throughout the holidays.

Festive 2025 Opening Hours – North East Lincolnshire Council

1.General Council Office Hours

Date	Opening Hours	Notes
24 December 2025	08:30 - 13:00	Half‑day service; staff available for in‑person enquiries.
25 December (Christmas Day)	Closed	All customer‑facing services closed.
26 December (Boxing Day)	Closed	Emergency contact numbers only.
27 December - 30 December	08:30 - 17:00	Normal weekday hours resume.
31 December 2025	08:30 - 13:00	Half‑day; limited telephone support.
1 January (New Year’s Day)	Closed	Holiday closure – online services remain active.
2 January - 5 January	08:30 - 17:00	Standard opening times.

All council branches – Customer Service Centres, Register Office, and the Headquarters – follow the schedule above.

Key tip: Plan any in‑person visits for 24 December or 31 December before the afternoon cut‑off to avoid missing the half‑day window.

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2. Service‑specific Availability

2.1 Customer Service Center (CSC)

• Phone: +44 1745 xxxx xxx (open 08:30 - 13:00 on 24 Dec & 31 Dec)
• Email & Online Chat: 24 hours / 7 days – available throughout the festive period.
• In‑Person: only during the half‑day windows listed above.

2.2 Waste Collection & Recycling

• Household Refuse: No collection on 25 Dec, 26 Dec, and 1 Jan.
• Recycling: Skip collection paused on the same holidays; next pick‑up resumes on 2 Jan.
• Bulky Waste: Special request forms can be submitted online; collection dates shift to the first week of January.
• Emergency Waste: Call +44 1745 xxxx xxx for urgent issues (e.g., blocked bins) – service available 24 / 7.

2.3 Library & Learning Centres

Library	Holiday Hours
Cleethorpes Library	Closed 25 Dec - 1 jan
Grimsby Central Library	Closed 25 Dec - 1 Jan
Community Hub (st. John’s)	Open 24 Dec 08:30‑13:00; 31 Dec 08:30‑13:00
Digital Resources	Accessible online 24 / 7 (e‑books, research databases)

Tip: Reserve study rooms early. The online booking system stays open throughout the holidays.

2.4 Register Office (Births, Marriages & Deaths)

• appointments: All scheduled appointments before 24 Dec remain confirmed.New bookings are suspended from 25 Dec to 1 Jan.
• Walk‑Ins: Not accepted during holiday closures.
• Online Forms: Available for certificate requests and statutory declarations – processed after 2 Jan.

2.5 Parking & Traffic Enforcement

• Ticket Payments: Online portal accepts payments 24 / 7; no penalty for late payment until after 2 Jan.
• Street parking Enforcement: Reduced patrols on 25 Dec, 26 Dec, and 1 Jan; no new citations issued.
• Emergency Roadworks: Contact +44 1745 xxxx xxx for urgent issues – service active year‑round.

2.6 Business rates & Council Tax

• Payment Deadlines: Early‑bird discounts apply until 31 Dec 23:59. Payments after this date incur standard rates.
• Online Portal: open 24 / 7; automated confirmations sent instantly.
• Phone support: Limited to half‑day windows; email remains the fastest response method during holidays.

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3. Digital Services – always On

Service	Access	Availability
Council Tax Online	https://www.nelc.gov.uk/tax	24 / 7
Planning Applications	https://www.nelc.gov.uk/planning	24 / 7
Waste Bin Tracker	Mobile app (iOS/Android)	24 / 7
Community Grants Portal	https://www.nelc.gov.uk/grants	24 / 7
COVID‑19 Updates & Health Advice	https://www.nelc.gov.uk/health	24 / 7

Practical tip: Enable push notifications on the Waste Bin Tracker app to receive real‑time updates on collection changes during the festive period.

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4. Emergency Contact Points

Issue	Phone	Hours
Urgent Waste Issues	+44 1745 xxxx xxx	24 / 7
Road Safety & Accident Reporting	999 (or local police)	Immediate
Fire & Rescue	999	Immediate
Council Emergency Hotline	+44 1745 xxxx xxx	24 / 7 (staffed by on‑call team)

Real‑world example: During the 2024 holiday season, the council’s emergency waste hotline resolved a blocked recycling bin within 2 hours, minimizing disruption for the surrounding neighbourhood.

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5. practical Tips for residents

1. Plan Ahead: Check the half‑day windows and schedule any in‑person visits before 13:00 on 24 Dec or 31 Dec.
2. Utilise Online Portals: All non‑urgent transactions (tax payments, license renewals, service requests) can be completed online 24 / 7, avoiding holiday delays.
3. Set Calendar Reminders: Mark the dates when waste collection pauses to avoid missed collections and potential fines.
4. Download the Council App: Provides real‑time alerts for changes to opening hours, collection schedules, and emergency notices.
5. Contact Early for Bulky Waste: Submit requests by early December to secure a January collection slot before the post‑holiday backlog.

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6.Benefits of Knowing the Festive Schedule

• Reduced Waiting Times: Avoids peak‑hour queues at Customer Service Centres.
• Continuous Service Access: Online platforms guarantee uninterrupted access to essential council functions.
• Improved Community Safety: Clear emergency contact information ensures rapid response to waste‑related or road safety incidents.
• Financial Savings: Early‑bird council tax discounts are only available before the year‑end cut‑off.

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7. Frequently Asked questions (FAQ)

Question	Answer
Are council offices open on New Year’s Eve?	Yes, half‑day (08:30‑13:00) on 31 December.
Can I pay council tax on Christmas Day?	Payments can be made online 24 / 7; the system processes transactions instantly.
When will waste collection resume after the holidays?	regular household refuse and recycling collection restart on 2 January.
Is the library available for digital borrowing during the holidays?	Absolutely – e‑books and audiobooks are accessible through the library’s online portal throughout the festive period.
What should I do if I notice a missed waste collection on a holiday?	report via the Waste Bin Tracker app or call the emergency waste hotline; the issue will be logged for the next working day.

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