Shoppers have been left divided following announcements from retailers like Aldi, Lidl, Primark, B&Q and John Lewis ahead of the Queen's funeral. Many shops have now announced they will be closing entirely on September 19th to celebrate the Queen's funeral.
Others say they will be shutting for the duration of the funeral. Others have decided not to close at all.
Everyone has an opinion on the store closures. Many people have praised shops for closing as a sign of respect.
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However, not everyone agrees with the shop closures - and people have pointed out that not everyone in the UK is a royalist. Others have been left worried about buying essentials like nappies and dog food while supermarkets are shut.
Karen Rixon-Thomas pointed out "There are some shops that can't afford to close due to having to pay rent and bills. Remember they have had it hard financially over the last two years plus. Also some are not royalists. Not everyone who lives in the U.K. follows the royals. We are a multi-culture county. Just saying. Why an earth folks think its ok to try and tell others what they should do or shouldn't do is beyond me."
Fran Bottomley said: "I think it’s down to each individual, if they can get enough staff to run whichever store/shop on Monday and want to work, then it’s up to them. I’m self employed but taking the day off, my loss of income but my choice." Rebecca Tait pointed out: "Not everywhere should be closed I work at a royal British legion as a sign of respect we will probably be open."
Sal Kay wrote: "Lots of Band Wagons being jumped on here! Why can’t folk just do what they want to do If you want a day off ..have it If you don’t ….dont If you want it but cant have it ..oh well that’s life If we choose to do what we want not what others demand we would certainly be a less stress Country."
Rowena Robinson said: "If all shops can close for Christmas Day, then let them close for this. Bloody hell it’s for one day, some of these were closed in lockdown and look how long that was." Karen Hopkins said: "I think Close all the shops! Let everyone celebrate the passing of our beautiful Queen and to celebrate a new chapter with our King!"
Louise Young chimed in: "Fair play to the stores that are closed EVERYWHERE should be closed." Janet Jarrett said: "Well done the companies closing that’s the way it should be."
Rita Brown wrote:"I agree about the closures but it has been declared as a Bank Holiday not a public day of mourning. When I was little all shops were closed on Bank Holidays except in seaside where gift shops were allowed to be open."
Whatever your opinion is on shops closing for the Queen's funeral, the message remains the same - be kind. Not everyone will have the same opinion as you, and that's ok.
Here are all of the shops closing for the Queen's funeral on Bank Holiday Monday:
B&Q
B&Q said it would close all its UK stores "as a mark of respect" on the day of the Queen's funeral.
It said the decision would also offer its staff "the opportunity to pay their respects". Click and collect and home delivery services will also be temporarily suspended on the day, B&Q added.
Homebase
Homebase said: "We join the country in mourning the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral."
Ikea
An Ikea UK spokesperson said: "Out of respect, and to enable our co-workers to participate in the funeral, Ikea UK will pause its business operations, including closing all of our UK stores on Monday 19 September."
Poundland
Poundland confirmed all 770 stores will be shut on Monday - with colleagues who were scheduled to work on 19 September set receive their scheduled pay in full.
Primark
Primark has also confirmed it will close all 191 stores on the bank holiday to honour the Queen.
A spokesperson said: "Our stores, depots and Head Office in the UK will be closed on Monday 19th September to give our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and watch the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"We will reopen as normal on Tuesday."
WH Smith
All of WH Smith's high street branches will be shut for the day of the funeral.
The firm's smaller Travel stores will close for at least the funeral itself.
Dunelm
Dunelm has confirmed it will be closed for the bank holiday.
A spokesperson for the chain said: "On Monday 19th September and as a mark of our respect, we will be closing all Dunelm stores and pausing delivery, Click & Collect and customer services on the day of the Funeral.
"We will reopen on Tuesday 20th September."
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