THE Queen’s tragic passing last week has left the country in deep mourning – but who will close and who will remain open on the day of the funeral?
King Charles lll declared Her Majesty’s funeral to be a bank holiday, and confirmed it would take place on Monday, 19 September.
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Are shops open on the day of the funeral?
The national mourning guidance, published on Friday, highlights that firms are not expected to halt operations.
It says: “There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period.
“Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”
Some supermarkets and retailers who have already decided to close their doors on the day are:
Tesco
Tesco is to close all of its large stores on Monday in order for its staff to pay their respects.
The supermarket giant said its express stores will be open until 5pm except for a small number of Express stores in Central London and Windsor that will be open throughout the day.
A spokesman said: “We want to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, as well as our gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen for her unwavering service.”
Asda
Asda is to close all its stores from midnight on Sunday, September 18, to 5pm on Monday – reopening after the funeral service.
A spokesman said staff contracted to work while the stores are closed will receive their normal pay.
Those who work when the stores reopen, will be paid double time for the rest of the day.
The supermarket giant is also pausing its delivery services.
The spokesman added: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty The Queen, all Asda stores will be closed on Monday, September 19, until 5pm to allow our customers and colleagues to recognise the passing of our late Monarch and commemorate her steadfast service to our nation.”
Aldi
Aldi will shut all its UK stores to customers on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The budget supermarket posted on its Twitter page this afternoon to let customers know that stores would be shut.
The post read: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – As a mark of respect, all Aldi stores across the UK will close on Monday, September 19 to allow our store colleagues to pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.”
Lidl
Lidl has confirmed that, as a mark of respect, it will close all its stores across England, Scotland and Wales on the day of the funeral.
A spokesman said: “We are grateful to all Lidl customers for their understanding and will be keeping all who mourn Her Royal Highness in our thoughts during this time.”
Co-op
Co-op is to close its stores until 5pm on Monday, September 19.
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They will the reopen to customers following the funeral service.
Delivers will also resume after 5pm.
A number of stores within central London and towards Windsor will remain open during the day to serve customers who will be in the Capital to be part of the funeral.
Morrisons
All Morrisons supermarkets will be closed on Monday, as a mark of respect.
Morrisons said it wanted its staff to be able to pay tribute to Her Majesty.
At 5pm it will reopen its petrol filling stations.
Iceland
Iceland, which has more than 1,000 across the UK, said it will close on September 10.
A spokesman said: “As a mark of respect to Her Majesty The Queen and to allow its colleagues to mourn in their own way, Iceland has made the decision to close all of its stores.”
You can view a full list of decisions so far here.
Are shops closed today?
Shops do not have to close today, but some may choose to do so out of respect.
Some retailers may choose to operate reduced hours too.
Selfridges closed its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham on Friday but reopened them for the weekend.
French Connection, which runs 26 shops across the UK, also closed their stores on Friday following the death of the Queen.
A spokesman said: “Following the sad news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we will close the doors of all our French Connection stores on Friday September 9.
“Our thoughts are with the royal family at this time.”
Some French Connection stores may be open again today – it’s best to call up your nearest one first to check.
Historic London department store Liberty was among the first to confirm it would not open on Friday.
The Soho-based retailer said: “Our heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with the royal family at this sad time.”
Liberty stores reopened again on Saturday.
But most other high street retailers are operating as normal.
