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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaron Curran

Shutters down in St Helens as town pays respects to Queen Elizabeth II

Shutters were put down in St Helens town centre to mark Queen Elizabeth's funeral.

Businesses across the town closed on Monday to workers to pay their respects. A walk through the deserted streets illustrated the extent of occasion as the people up and down the nation celebrated the life of our late monarch.

A scattering of pubs across the town centre made up the only businesses open in St Helens as regulars trickled in to watch the funeral on the screens. The ECHO pitched up in Brasserie Chalon on Barrow Street to capture the mood ahead of the historic moment.

READ MORE: Queen's coffin bearers were specifically chosen to protect her body

Landlord Ste Martlew said: "We had a lot of customers asking if we'd be open for the day so decided to open up for the funeral to allow them to come pay their respects. We're offering free tea and coffee but people are more than welcome to have a pint if they feel like it.

"I think it's important to allow everyone the opportunity to watch the funeral and pay their respects as part of such a historic event."

St Helens fell silent to mark the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Liverpool Echo)

The bar filled up quickly by around 11am as regulars gathered around the screens. One person told the ECHO: "I think stuff like this is what we do better than anyone else as a country, the traditions we have and the ceremony is just something else."

I wouldn't consider myself a royalist but I think what the Queen has done completely transcends all that, she's served her country for 70 years and I think it's incredible."

The Queen had since been lying in state in the Palace of Westminster where members of the public were able to pay their respects. On Saturday, September 10, it was confirmed the day of the Queen’s funeral would be a national bank holiday and schools, shops and restaurants across the country have closed as a mark of respect.

You can light a candle for Queen Elizabeth II here or leave a tribute to her here .

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