Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday to be celebrated every year.
Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden is backing calls for a public Thank Holiday, adding to pressure for the Government to support the plans.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak last week reportedly agreed to examine the costs and benefits.
The move looks to have the backing of the public – a petition on the 38 Degrees site has 24,000 signatures so far.
Ms Meaden, 63, wrote: “I think we should keep the extra bank holiday and declare it an annual Thank Holiday – a day when we recognise service in all its forms.
As a business leader and investor, I’m making this case because I think it would be good for business, especially those sectors damaged in the pandemic.
“But, more importantly, I think it would be good for the country.
“The UK has among the fewest public holidays in the western world. Days like this help build closer, more connected communities.
“If we announced this new day as part of the Jubilee celebrations and coming out of two of the most difficult years in recent history, it would have even greater power.”
Last month, trade bodies including the CBI and UK Hospitality urged the Prime Minister and Chancellor to back plans for a new bank holiday.
If agreed, it would give England and Wales nine bank holidays – fewer than France and Germany.
But PM Boris Johnson ’s official spokesman last week stressed this year’s extra bank holiday is a one-off.
