Center Parcs CLIMBS DOWN and says guests WILL be able to stay during the Queen’s Funeral Bank Holiday – after initially ordering families to leave for 24 hours in the middle of their breaks sparking fury and throwing plans into disarray
- Center Parcs said its five parks would close for 24 hours from 10am on Monday
- Holidaymakers lashed out at the resort chain over the last-minute decision
- Guests staying on Monday will no longer have to leave the parks for the day
- **Has your holiday been affected? Email [email protected]**
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
Center Parcs has climbed down after it announced it would close for 24 hours on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
The holiday resort chain was inundated with complaints after it said its five parks would close from 10am on Monday September 19 because of the Queen’s funeral, leaving guests struggling to find somewhere to stay in the middle of their holiday.
The company has now made a U-turn on the plans after an angry backlash from guests.
Parks will be open for guests who planned to stay there on Monday, though the villages will still be closed and there will be limited activities as the Queen’s funeral goes ahead.
A spokesperson for Center Parcs said: ‘Like many businesses we have taken the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday 19th September.
‘This decision was taken as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.
‘We have contacted all the guests due to arrive on Monday 19th September and offered them a number of different options. Our villages will be open to welcome guests on Tuesday 20th September.
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‘The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday 19th September.
‘We have however, reviewed our position regarding the very small number of guests who are not due to depart on Monday and we will be allowing them to stay on our villages rather than having to leave and return on Tuesday.
‘The villages will still remain closed on Monday and we will be offering a discount for the lack of facilities available on that day.’
Laura Magor, 33, was one of a number of holidaymakers who helped force the climbdown.
She plans to celebrate her birthday along with her mother and sister on September 19 in Longleat Forest in Wiltshire after a 70-mile trip from South Wales.
Laura told Metro.co.uk: ‘I’m disgusted by this decision. It’s my birthday and my sister’s birthday, and we are both born on my mum’s birthday, Monday September 19. It’s a special family day for us and every year we spend our birthdays together.
‘My mum is a district nurse who works tirelessly for the NHS up to 60 hours a week, who really needs a nice weekend off. It’s also my nephew’s 16th birthday tomorrow so we are going away for a weekend of family celebrations.
‘We have the utmost respect and understand that the Queen’s funeral is very important, but we also feel it is very last minute, as they said the other day that they were going to keep the park open and display the funeral on screens.
‘We’re frustrated and disappointed that they are being so inflexible.
‘It feels like we as customers are left to pick up the financial pieces.’
Laura Magor, 33, (second from right) plans to celebrate her birthday along with her mother and sister on September 19 in Longleat Forest in Wiltshire after a 70-mile trip from South Wales
Center Parcs said its parks would still be closed on Monday September 19, but guests would no longer be made to leave
The Queen’s coffin is being transported to London ahead of the funeral on Monday September 19. Pictured: Princess Anne (left) and King Charles III (centre) stand vigil over the coffin in Edinburgh
Center Parcs said in a statement that it made the decision to close on Monday ‘as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment’
Penny Smith from Dover, Kent, told MailOnline before the decision was changed: ‘I am joining in with the complaints regarding Center Parcs. Myself, my husband, and my daughter’s family are due to start our holiday on Monday 19th at their Elveden site, but have been told we cannot travel up until the Tuesday due to the funeral.
‘We only have a five day holiday booked and it’s the only holiday we will be having this year due to recent financial hardships.
‘I am a nurse with the NHS and we are still expected to work at times like these, it’s just unlucky if you’re rostered to work on that day, so why does Center Parcs not do the same?
‘Our grandchildren are so upset about the fact that they only have four days there now, and in fact, we are all very upset and appalled that they can do this to people who pay a lot of money to this company and yet get treated like this.
‘I am very upset about the Queen’s death, but do think that this is very unnecessary.’
Denzil Demarara added: ‘I have paid for a week and I have a written contract stating my arrival date and my departing date, I will not be leaving early. They will have to drag me and my children out.’
The U-turn was forced after many affected people expressed their anger on Center Parcs’ Facebook page.
One wrote: ‘We were five related families getting together for our annual family holiday – with two small children and two dogs, three hours from home!
‘Where the hell are we supposed to go for one night?! It’s that or cancel some or all of the much-anticipated holiday!
‘Sorry, but this is an awful, awful decision that has left us devastated.
‘By all means close the restaurants and activities, but let us stay on the park!!’
Another wrote: ‘Center Parcs have left us in a right mess.
‘Party of six – including one toddler and one adult with special needs. Driving four hours for a Friday to Friday break in (a) four-bedroomed cabin.
Families told they must leave sites at 10am on Monday lashed out against the resort chain
‘Get kicked out of our accommodation at 10am Monday and can’t return until the same time on Tuesday. What the hell are we supposed to do???!!!’
One holidaymaker tweeted: ‘We are just starting a two week break, but now are expected to go all the way home on Monday, then come back the next day.’
Another tweeted Center Parcs saying: ‘It would appear respect only flows one way, and that respect for your guests is not something that is a priority. An appalling decision, made worse by the lack of any kind of recompense for those who are now unable to use facilties that they have paid for on Monday. Unacceptable.’
Meanwhile, bin collections, driving tests, hospital appointments, cinemas and major supermarkets will also be stopped on the day of the funeral.
Costa Coffee is one of the latest chains to announce its closure, following confirmation from supermarket giants Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi, Morrisons, Iceland, Lidl, Poundland, and M&S that they will shut.
All driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales have been cancelled on the day of the Queen’s state funeral, the DVSA has confirmed.
Candidates who are booked in for practical tests on September 19 will have them postponed and be given the next available date.
Non-urgent procedures and appointments at some NHS trusts will be postponed on the day of The Queen’s funeral.
One pregnant woman told openDemocracy that her appointment at a London hospital trust had been cancelled.
‘I’m really disappointed,’ she said. ‘Yes, it’s a routine scan, but that’s another week or two until I’m seen and wondering whether my baby is healthy – which means quite a lot of anxiety, sitting and waiting.’
She reportedly received a text message from the NHS which said: ‘We regret that due to unforeseen circumstances, your appointment to see a member of the team in the Fetal Medicine Centre on Monday 19th September has been cancelled. A new appointment date will be rescheduled shortly.’
Many Twitter users have been claiming their hospital appointments have been cancelled.
This comes as the majority of Britain’s biggest supermarkets will close to honour the Queen on the day of her funeral – as smaller stores and many pubs remain open.
Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Aldi, Morrisons and Lidl are among the big chains which have announced they will close stores on September 19 as the country comes to a halt to commemorate Her Majesty.
Poundland, Argos, and John Lewis stores will also close their doors on the day of the service, which is being held at Westminster Abbey.
M&S has confirmed it will close stores in the UK for the entire day, with some limited exceptions in London and Windsor, which will close during the service.
Asda will close stores until 5pm and will not be doing online deliveries.
DIY giant B&Q also said it will close all of its stores and will suspend its click and collect and home delivery services on Monday September 19.
Clothing giant Primark confirmed that all of its 191 stores will close out of respect for the late monarch.
Many pubs are expected to stay open, including the Fullers Group which has 400 pubs across the country.
Local councils have begun announcing delays to bin collections on Monday as the country grinds to a halt for the Queen’s funeral (stock image)
Costa Coffee is one of the latest chains to announce its closure as the country pauses to pay respect to the Queen
Sainsbury’s supermarkets will close and its convenience stores and petrol stations will only be open from 5pm to 10pm on the evening of the Bank Holiday
Tesco has said its large stores will also be shut all day and it will not be fulfilling online orders, while Express stores will remain closed until 5pm
What are the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets doing on September 19?
Tesco – The UK’s largest supermarket chain is closing all of its large stores all day on September 19. It is also cancelling all home deliveries scheduled for Monday.
Its Express stores will be open from 5pm, while a small number of stores in central London and Windsor will remain open all day for people attending the commemorations.
Sainsbury’s – Britain’s second biggest chain has announced it will be closing all of its supermarkets and Argos stores on the day of the funeral.
It added that convenience stores and petrol filling stations will only be open from 5pm to 10pm, while select stores in central London will be open for those attending the funeral in person.
Asda – The third largest supermarket chain in the country will be closing stores until 5pm and will not be offering online deliveries.
Morrisons – The retailer is another that plans to close its stores on September 19.
The shutting of supermarkets and other retail across the country means people looking to do their shopping will have to plan around the Bank Holiday, with commuters and travellers also being impacted by some of the closures.
Sainsbury’s has announced that its convenience stores and petrol stations will only be open from 5pm to 10pm on the evening of the Bank Holiday.
Argos stores will also be closed, Sainsbury’s told MailOnline, and its convenience stores and petrol stations will only open in the evening on the Bank Holiday – from 5pm to 10pm.
Meanwhile Tesco has said its large stores will also be shut all day and it will not be fulfilling online orders, while Express stores will remain closed until 5pm.
Lidl told MailOnline they would be closing their stores across England, Scotland and Wales in honour of Her Majesty.
Aldi supermarkets confirmed they will close as a mark of respect to the Queen and to allow staff and customers to watch the service at Westminster Abbey on TV.
Meanwhile, John Lewis department stores and the majority of Waitrose shops are to shut all day.
John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose, will keep just ‘a handful’ of food shops open along the funeral procession route.
Poundland has also said its 770-plus UK stores will close for the whole day, with staff who had been set to work still receiving their pay in full.
Most smaller convenience stores are expected to stay open as usual on Monday so people can still shop.
Meanwhile, Morrisons says it has ‘turned down’ the beeps on its self-checkouts and the music and tannoy announcements in its stores have been switched off in a mark of respect.
Tesco Express stores will remain closed until 5pm on the day of the funeral, as the nation mourns
Lidl said they would be closing their stores across England, Scotland and Wales in honour of Her Majesty
Aldi supermarkets confirmed they will close as a mark of respect to the Queen and to allow staff and customers to watch the service at Westminster Abbey on TV
‘When full details of the funeral are confirmed, an exception may be a very limited number of Waitrose stores on the route of the funeral procession to serve members of the public who we know will be lining the route for many hours,’ John Lewis said in a statement.
The few shops that could be left open in London, however, will close for the funeral itself, they added.
The company is also set to close the remaining 300-plus Waitrose stores for the day.
Waitrose holds a Royal Warrant and sells products from the Duchy of Cornwall – the estate formerly held by King Charles III before his accession to the throne and which now has passed to his son, Prince William, the new Prince of Wales.
The retailers’ 34 John Lewis department stores across the country will all close on the day of the funeral.
Andrew Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, The John Lewis Partnership said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
‘We will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and because we believe this is the right thing to do for our Partners and customers.’
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
‘In honour of Her Majesty and so our colleagues can pay their respects, all Sainsbury’s supermarkets and Argos stores will be closed on Monday, 19 September.
John Lewis Partnership is set to keep ‘a handful’ of shops open and close the remaining 300-plus Waitrose stores for the day
John Lewis department stores across the country will all close on the day of the funeral
‘This includes Groceries Online and Argos Fast Track delivery.
‘Our convenience stores and petrol filling stations will be open from 5pm-10pm to allow our customers to pick up essential items, while select stores in central London will open to serve those attending the funeral in person.
‘We thank our customers for their understanding.’
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO 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.
‘On Monday 19th September, in order for our colleagues to pay their respects, our large stores will be closed all day and our Express stores will remain closed until 5pm.’
Announcing their closure on Monday, Lidl said: ‘We can confirm that as a mark of respect and in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, we will be closing all of our stores across England, Scotland and Wales for the day of Her Majesty’s funeral, Monday 19th September.
‘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.’
An Asda spokesperson: ‘As a mark of respect for Her Majesty The Queen, all Asda stores will be closed on Monday 19th September until 5pm to allow our customers and colleagues to recognise the passing of our late Monarch and commemorate her steadfast service to our nation. We will not be offering online deliveries on Monday 19th September.
‘All our stores will close by midnight on Sunday, 18th September and reopen at 5pm on Monday, 19th September. Those colleagues contracted to work while the stores are closed will receive their normal pay.
‘Any colleagues who work when the stores reopen will be paid double time for the rest of the day.’
Aldi supermarkets have confirmed today they will close UK stores next Monday as a mark of respect to the Queen
A spokeswoman from Morrisons said: ‘All our supermarkets will be closed on Monday 19 September as a mark of respect and so colleagues can pay tribute to Her Majesty. At 5pm our petrol filling stations will reopen.’
Iceland confirmed its stores would also shut, but said colleagues scheduled to work would be paid in full.
‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Royal Family.
‘We have come to the decision to close all UK stores on Monday 19th September to allow our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and commemorate Her Majesty’s years of service. Any colleagues that were schedule to work on this day will still be paid in full.’
Stuart Machin, CEO of M&S said: ‘All of us at M&S – and indeed across the country and beyond – feel a real and deep sense of loss and sadness at the passing of Her Majesty, as well as huge respect for the grace with which His Majesty King Charles III and the wider Royal Family have led the nation in our mourning.
‘It is right that we make changes to our operational arrangements on the day of the funeral to ensure our colleagues across our stores and distribution network can participate, whilst supporting customers as they show their respects too.
‘That’s why on Monday 19th September we will cease customer delivery services and close M&S owned stores in the UK for the entire day, with some limited exceptions in London and Windsor, which will close for the duration of the service.’
Franchise stores at travel locations and in public service sites, such as hospitals, are expected to remain open on Monday.
DIY chain B&Q has also said today it will close its doors next Monday.
A spokesperson said: ‘As a mark of respect for the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and to offer our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects, we have taken the decision to close all our UK stores on Monday 19 September.
‘Our click and collect and home delivery services will also be temporarily suspended on the day.’
DIY retailer Toolstation that has 556 branches across the UK will also close on Monday.
‘As a mark of respect for the life of service and leadership of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Toolstation has decided that its stores in the United Kingdom will close all day on Monday 19 September to coincide with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral and mark the last day of the period of national mourning. This includes all 556 of Toolstation’s stores across the UK,’ a spokesman said.
Stores will re-open for business on Tuesday 20 September.
High street clothing chain Primark will also close, with its spokeswoman saying: ‘Our stores, depots and head office in the UK will be closed on Monday September 19 to give our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and watch the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Clothing giant Primark has confirmed that all of its 191 stores will close as a mark of respect
Many pubs around the country are expected to remain open, including Fullers pubs (stock image)
‘We will reopen as normal on Tuesday September 20.’
A spokesperson for the Fuller Group told the Telegraph: ‘We anticipate that Fullers pubs will be opening on the day of the funeral to provide a place for people to come together and pay their respects.’
The government has issued advice regarding the Bank Holiday to businesses.
‘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,’ it said.
A two minutes’ silence will be held at midday next Monday for the Queen’s state funeral and the London Stock Exchange will close.
English Heritage sites and National Trust houses also close in tribute to Queen
English Heritage, which cares for the world famous prehistoric stone circle as well as other important monuments and properties including Dover Castle, Eltham Palace in London and Roman forts on Hadrian’s Wall, said all of its sites would be shut on Monday.
In a statement, the heritage organisation said: ‘As a mark of respect, English Heritage is closing all sites on Monday September 19 2022 for Her Majesty the Queen’s state funeral.
‘The Union flag will fly at half-mast at all our sites with flagpoles until the morning after the funeral.’
National Trust houses, gardens, cafes and shops will also be closed on the day of the funeral.
The organisation said coast and countryside car parks and pre-booked holiday cottages and campsites will remain open for visitors.
The charity also said: ‘National Trust places will remain open during the mourning period to provide a place of reflection for members and visitors.’
The National Trust looks after hundreds of stately homes and other historic properties and gardens, as well as more than 600,000 acres of countryside and more than 780 miles of coastline, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, the National Trust for Scotland has said buildings and gardens will be closed while countryside places remain open on the day of the funeral.
The Imperial War Museums, which has museums in London, Manchester, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, the Churchill War Rooms in central London and HMS Belfast on the Thames, is closing all five sites.
Major galleries including the National Gallery in London, National Galleries of Scotland and the Tate galleries will also be closed, as will museums including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A in South Kensington, London.
The National Museum of Scotland will be closed, and Museum Wales said it will close its seven sites on Monday.
Businesses and schools up and down the country are set to close their doors on September 19, which King Charles III declared a bank holiday, as the nation mourns Queen Elizabeth II.
Away from retail, schools across the country will close, giving children the chance to watch Her Majesty’s funeral as it is shown on television.
The commemorations for the late monarch will also see museums across the capital close for the day, with the British Museum, Natural History Museum and National Gallery all shutting their doors.
Royal Mail has also announced it will not be making deliveries on the day of the service.
English Heritage, which cares for historic monuments and buildings including Stonehenge, Dover Castle, Eltham Palace and the Roman forts on Hadrian’s Wall, said all of its sites would be closed on Monday for the Queen’s funeral.
The organisation said coast and countryside car parks and pre-booked holiday cottages and campsites will still remain open for visitors.
**Has your holiday been affected? Email [email protected]**
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