Center Parcs found itself in more strife today after a tweet suggested guests would have to remain in their lodges on the day of the Queen's funeral. The park operator was slammed yesterday after saying that it would close its parks on Monday, September 19, which is a bank holiday to mark the historic occasion.
However, it later did a U-turn, saying that guests who were due to stay there on that date would be allowed to remain on site, but facilities would be closed. It came after people who were due to be there on the day blasted the company, saying in many cases that it would be difficult to find alternative accommodation for the one night.
After revealing that its five parks would close for 24 hours from 10am on Monday, the company received complaints from angry customers. It had been announced that guests part-way through their holidays would be forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.
On Tuesday night, it said that while the five parks it operates will remain closed on Monday to new arrivals, those who have an itinerary which doesn't see them depart that day will be allowed to stay.
A spokesperson from 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.
"The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday 19 th 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."
However, on Wednesday a tweet from the Center Parcs account provoked fresh ire. Replying to a customer, it said that guests would need to remain in their lodges during the day.
This led to a flurry of responses from people, with some accusing Center Parcs of putting guests under "house arrest" or "imprisoning" them. A swift clarification then followed, confirming that people would be able to walk around their site.
Many businesses will be closed on Monday as the nation says goodbye to Her Majesty the Queen. Major supermarkets and many other shops and businesses have confirmed that they will not open their doors as a mark of respect. There will be some exceptions, such as stores on the funeral route, and some will open in the evening.
