HOLIDAY firm Center Parcs has U-turned twice in 24 hours after intense backlash followed its decision to kick people off their premises for the Queen’s funeral.
Families who had reserved accommodation at one of the company’s five UK sites faced being evicted from Monday September 19th until 10am on the following day – even if they had booked a stay that crossed those dates.
Center Parcs UK wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “Following the announcement of the date of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, we have made the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday 19 September at 10am as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.
“Guests who were due to arrive on Monday 19 September should not travel, we will reopen on Tuesday 20 September to welcome guests.”
The firm later added that people would be allowed to leave their belongings on site, but they would have to leave.
Center Parcs UK then said that although the park would open at 10am on September 20, guests would not be able to access their accommodation until 4pm.
The announcements sparked a fierce backlash, with people branding it “crass” and “lunacy”. Some commentators even suggested the firm could be open to legal action for breaking its contract with customers.
"Is it usual for hotels to evict guests on the day of a state funeral?" one Twitter user asked.
A U-turn followed on Wednesday. Center Parcs UK tweeted: “We recognise leaving the village for one night is an inconvenience, we have listened and made the decision to allow guests to remain on village on Monday, however, the village will still be closed, so guests will need to remain in their lodges.”
Hi Kim We recognise leaving the village for one night is an inconvenience, we have listened and made the decision to allow guests to remain on village on Monday, however, the village will still be closed, so guests will need to remain in their lodges. Thanks, Amy
— Center Parcs UK (@CenterParcsUK) September 14, 2022
This announcement also sparked a fierce backlash, with one user called it “literally a hostage situation”. A second suggested the plan to keep holidaymakers confined to their lodges would “end just as stupidly as the first decision”.
Soon after, Center Parcs U-turned again, claiming the decision to make people stay indoors was actually just poor wording.
“Apologies for my wording, you will be allowed to walk around the village, but the facilities will be closed,” the firm posted.
The Center Parcs UK account has further been replying to numerous customers who have posted complaints about the U-turns leaving them out of pocket.
"We were due to arrive 19/9 but have taken the option you offered to cancel due to your now planned closure on Monday. However, you have charged us a cancellation fee??!" one user wrote.
"I'm staying with you including over next Monday. After your first tweet saying everyone had to leave for a night, we booked a hotel, but now we can stay I don't need it, but can't get a refund from that hotel.
"What do you propose? Thanks," a second posted.
Hi Could you send us a DM with your reference number so we can take a look into this? Thanks, Amy
— Center Parcs UK (@CenterParcsUK) September 14, 2022
Center Parcs operates five sites in England and one in the Republic of Ireland. The firm's Irish account has not posted anything since the announcement of the Queen’s death.
