If you’ve ever stood outside a shop wondering whether you’ve just missed it or if they’re still open, you’re not alone. Boots Portlaoise, tucked into the Laois Shopping Centre, is one of those go-to spots where knowing the exact hours can save you a wasted trip. This guide lays out the store’s regular and special hours, the pharmacy services on offer, and the bigger picture of Boots closures and investments in Ireland — all in one place.

4 related posts

Store location: Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois ·
Phone number: +353 57 8662804 ·
Monday to Wednesday hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ·
Thursday and Friday hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM ·
Saturday hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ·
Sunday hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Quick snapshot

1Opening Hours
2Pharmacy Services
  • Free walk-in consultations
  • Syringes available
  • Prescription services
  • Vaccinations
3Contact & Location
  • Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise (Boots Ireland store page)
  • Phone: 057 8662804 (Boots Ireland store page)
4Closures & Investment
  • 300 Boots stores closing in UK (2024) (RTÉ)
  • €5m investment in Ireland (RTÉ)
  • 2,000+ retail stores closing in 2026 (Business Insider)

The pattern is clear: the store’s weekday hours shift midweek to accommodate late-night shoppers, while Sunday trading stays tight.

Label Value
Store Name Boots Portlaoise
Address Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Phone 057 8662804
Weekday Hours Mon–Wed 9–6, Thu–Fri 9–9, Sat 9–6
Sunday Hours 11–6
Pharmacy Consultation Free walk-in available

What are the regular opening hours for Boots Portlaoise?

Monday to Wednesday hours

  • Monday to Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, according to the Boots Ireland store page (official store locator).
  • The Laois Shopping Centre listing shows Monday to Friday as 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, a slight discrepancy — always check Boots.ie for the latest (Laois Shopping Centre directory).

Thursday and Friday hours

  • Thursday and Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, confirmed by Boots Ireland (official store page).
  • These late-night openings are consistent with the shopping centre’s extended trading on those days.

Saturday hours

  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, per Boots Ireland (official store page).
Bottom line: For Portlaoise shoppers, the weekday schedule is predictable but narrow — the store closes at 6 PM on most days. The late Thursdays and Fridays are your only evening window for pharmacy access or shopping.

What are the Sunday, Christmas, and bank holiday opening hours for Boots Portlaoise?

Sunday opening hours

  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, based on the Boots Ireland store page and Laois Shopping Centre listing.
  • This is a shorter window than weekdays, typical for Irish Sunday trading.

Christmas opening hours

  • Christmas hours are typically reduced and announced in December. Boots UK (corporate newsroom) stated that over 750 pharmacies would remain open over festive bank holidays to help patients access healthcare support, though exact Portlaoise hours are not yet published for 2025.
  • Check Boots.ie closer to the holiday for the current year’s schedule.

Bank holiday opening hours

  • Bank holiday hours often follow Sunday hours or a reduced schedule. Boots UK (corporate newsroom) noted that patient care is available throughout the festive period, excluding Christmas Day, with reduced service on New Year’s Day.
  • Verify ahead of the holiday by calling the store or checking the website.
The catch

Sunday and bank holiday hours are the tightest window for Boots Portlaoise shoppers. For anyone needing pharmacy access on a Sunday, the 11–6 slot is your only option — and it may be even shorter on bank holidays.

What pharmacy services are available at Boots Portlaoise?

Can I walk in and speak to a pharmacist?

  • Yes. Boots offers free private consultations with a pharmacist without an appointment, according to Boots Ireland (official store page).
  • The pharmacy hours match the store hours listed on the same page.

Can I buy syringes?

  • Syringes are available for purchase at Boots Ireland; a prescription may be required for certain types. This is standard practice under Irish pharmacy regulations (HSE pharmacy services).

Is Viagra free for over 60s?

  • No. Viagra is not free for over 60s in Ireland; it requires a private prescription and is not covered under the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme for that age group (HSE GMS scheme).

What conditions can pharmacists prescribe?

  • Pharmacists in Ireland can prescribe for seven common conditions under the HSE’s pharmacy-first initiative: uncomplicated urinary tract infection, impetigo, conjunctivitis, and others (HSE Pharmacy First).
  • Boots UK’s pharmacy-first services in England include similar provisions, as noted by Boots UK (corporate newsroom).
Bottom line: For Portlaoise residents, the free pharmacist chat offers a practical alternative to a GP visit for minor issues. The walk-in consultation is the standout service — for anyone over 60 seeking Viagra, the cost falls out-of-pocket.

Why are Boots stores closing and what is the situation in Ireland?

Reasons for Boots closures

Which Boots stores are closing?

  • The specific list of closing Boots stores in Ireland has not been officially detailed. The closures are primarily focused on the UK estate, with Boots Ireland taking a different approach — investing rather than shrinking.

Boots Ireland investment

  • Boots Ireland invested €5 million in store revamps, reported by RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster). The investment is aimed at enhancing customer experience.
  • Boots as a company is not in immediate trouble; closures are part of a strategy to optimize its store estate, as noted by Business Insider (business news outlet).
Why this matters

For Boots Portlaoise shoppers, the closure news is less alarming than it sounds. Boots Ireland is investing in its stores, not retreating. The Portlaoise branch, with its recent revamp, appears to be part of the growth side of the equation.

Which is the biggest Boots in Ireland and how much does Boots pay per hour?

Biggest Boots store in Ireland

  • The largest Boots store in Ireland is on Grafton Street, Dublin, spanning multiple floors. This is widely cited in retail guides and confirmed by Boots Ireland (official store page).

Boots hourly pay in Ireland

The trade-off

Boots Portlaoise is a mid-sized store in a regional shopping centre — not the flagship Grafton Street experience, but with the same pharmacy services. For job seekers, the €12–€14 hourly pay is competitive for retail in the midlands.

Timeline: Boots closures and investments in Ireland

  • 2024: Boots announces 300 store closures across the UK as part of restructuring (Business Insider).
  • 2025: Boots Ireland invests €5 million in store revamps (RTÉ).
  • 2026: More than 2,000 retail stores expected to close across the UK and Ireland (Business Insider).
Bottom line: The timeline reveals a clear divergence: Boots shrinks in the UK while investing in Ireland. For Portlaoise, this means the local store is likely safe from the closure wave — at least for now.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Boots Portlaoise regular hours from Boots Ireland store page.
  • Boots Portlaoise Sunday hours from multiple listings (Boots Ireland, Laois Shopping Centre).
  • Boots Ireland €5m investment (RTÉ).
  • Boots 300 store closure announcement (Business Insider).

What’s unclear

  • Exact Christmas 2025 opening hours – not yet published.
  • Bank holiday schedule – may vary each year.
  • Current list of closing Boots stores in Ireland – not officially detailed.

Quotes from the industry

“Boots Ireland said the investment will enhance customer experience.”

— Boots Ireland official, as reported by RTÉ (Irish public broadcaster)

“More than 2,000 stores are set to close in 2026, including Boots locations.”

— Business Insider (business news outlet)

The implication: Boots Ireland is betting on physical retail, not abandoning it. For Portlaoise, that bet means a revamped store and continued service — a contrast to the UK’s retreat.

Related reading: **H&M Cork: Opening Hours, Store Info & Online Shopping** · **AIB Opening Hours Today: Saturday, Bank Holidays & More**

Additional sources

facebook.com, instagram.com, everthrive.ie, thesun.co.uk, facebook.com

For those needing pharmacy services outside Portlaoise, it’s worth checking Boots chemist locations across Ireland for similar store hours and stock details.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Is Boots Portlaoise open on New Year’s Day?

Boots UK has stated that patient care is available throughout the festive period, excluding Christmas Day, with reduced service on New Year’s Day. Check Boots.ie for Portlaoise-specific hours closer to the date (Boots UK newsroom).

Can I get a flu shot at Boots Portlaoise?

Yes, Boots Ireland offers flu vaccinations at its pharmacies. Walk-in or book online via Boots.ie (Boots Ireland flu service).

Does Boots Portlaoise have a photo booth?

Boots stores in Ireland typically offer photo printing services, but availability varies by location. Contact the store directly at 057 8662804 to confirm.

How do I contact Boots Portlaoise by email?

Boots Ireland does not list a direct email for individual stores. Use the contact form on Boots.ie or call 057 8662804 (Boots Ireland contact page).

Are there parking facilities at Laois Shopping Centre?

Yes, Laois Shopping Centre has free on-site parking. The centre is located on the Dublin Road, Portlaoise (Laois Shopping Centre parking info).

Does Boots Portlaoise accept Tesco Clubcard vouchers?

No, Boots Ireland does not accept Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Boots operates its own Advantage Card loyalty programme (Boots Ireland Advantage Card).

For Portlaoise residents and visitors, the choice is clear: Boots Portlaoise offers reliable hours and solid pharmacy services, but plan around the Sunday and bank holiday restrictions — or risk a closed door.