Following the news that Queen Elizabeth II has died, intricate plans will now be enacted as the nation enters into a period of mourning. The plans will see major differences to what events are on, whether sporting fixtures will go ahead, and where we shop.
On the day of the funeral - which at this time is still to be confirmed - there will be a Day of National Mourning, but employers will not be compelled to give staff a day off. Unless it falls on a weekend, there will be no national bank holiday, following church and memorial services across the UK.
Shops will close or be opened for reduced hours, and banks will shut. Last night and this morning some national retailers announced that their stores would be closed today (Friday, 9 September).
Read more: Closures and cancellations in Greater Manchester following the death of the Queen
Selfridges department store led tributes to the Queen as it announced last night that all of its stores, including its Manchester branch, would be closed on Friday. The company closed early on Thursday and confirmed it would remain closed all day Friday before reopening again on Saturday, September 10.
Selfridges also confirmed that its Trafford Centre branch would be closed on Friday in line with protocol. The Trafford Centre also issued a statement on its website, but did not confirm whether it would be closing.
"We are deeply saddened at the news of the Queen's passing and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the Royal Family at this time. We will be marking the great significance of this news with a short-term pause on website updates and email communications as a mark of respect. Please bear with us during this time."
Luxury retailer Harvey Nichols also shared a tribute, but will not be closed today, while Manchester Arndale - which is still operating today - has opened up a virtual Book of Condolences on its website for customers to sign. Waterstones, which has a store within the Arndale, as well as on Deansgate and at The Trafford Centre, also extended its sympathies to the Royal Family.
Elsewhere, High-end men's fashion retailer END Clothing announced that it would be postponing the opening of its new Manchester store, which was due to open today in the former Paperchase site at St Mary's Gate in the City Centre. the stationary retailer shuttered in 2020 after the company went into administration. Following extensive refurbishment, the new clothing store was due to open at 10am today.
The fashion company shared a statement on social media, writing: "Following the news of the passing Queen Elizabeth II, END will be closing the doors of our stores and postponing the opening of our Manchester store. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this difficult time."
Marks & Spencer meanwhile, issued a statement saying: "We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. She’s led for over 70 years with quiet determination and selfless devotion. We join the Royal Family and the nation in their grief and offer the Royal Family our heartfelt condolences."
However, the retailer has not said that it will closed today or this weekend. Likewise, TK Maxx, which has stores across Greater Manchester has shared a tribute on its site, but had not closed today. TK Maxx said: "We send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on the passing on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We are all profoundly grateful to her extraordinary service and dedication. From everyone at TK Maxx and Homesense."
We have turned comments off on this story but you can share your tribute in our online condolence book.
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