Many shops will close tomorrow, when the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place. These include most supermarkets plus city centre shopping malls – but there are plenty of stores which will remain open, albeit with reduced opening hours.
Larger supermarkets are shutting down as a mark of respect, and to allow staff to watch the historic event. These include Tesco Superstore outlets at Staple Hill, Thornbury, Lime Trees Road, Midsomer Norton and Nailsea, as well Tesco Extra sites at Bradley Stoke, Brislington, and Eastgate Road.
Larger Sainsbury’s stores will also be closed on Monday, including superstore outlets at Dingles, Clifton Down, Winterstoke Road, Castle Court, Kingswood, East Filton, Emerson’s Green and Portishead.
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A statement on the Asda website says: “As a mark of respect for Her Majesty The Queen, all Asda stores will be closed on Monday until 5pm to allow our customers and colleagues to recognise the passing of our late monarch and commemorate her steadfast service to our nation.”
It adds: “We will not be offering any online delivery slots on Monday. We are in the process of contacting customers with slots booked to rearrange their delivery.” A similar statement on the Morrisons website reads: “All our stores and sites will be closed as a mark of respect.”
Aldi and Lidl supermarkets will also all be closed on Monday. Smaller, local supermarkets will open for a limited time. The Morrisons statement continues: “At 5pm, our petrol filling stations will open for our customers' convenience, for anyone needing to shop for necessities.” Such stores are located at Fishponds and Patchway.
Normally open between 6am and 11pm, Tesco Express stores will open for five hours only, between 5pm and 10pm. These outlets are located at Bedminster, Clifton, Redfield, Fishponds, Totterdown, Filton, Longwell Green, Yate and elsewhere – see the supermarket’s online store locator for a full list, with opening hours.
Sainsbury’s Local will keep the same hours, 5pm to 10pm, including outlets at Bristol Hippodrome, Union Street, Broadmead, Clifton Down, Bishopston and elsewhere – see the chain’s online store locator for a complete list of options.
Co-operative Food Stores will remain open on Monday, but only after 5pm “as a mark of respect”. Outlets are located at College Green, Redcliffe Street, High Kingsdown, Coronation Road, Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bedminster, Wells Road and Gloucester Road. See their online store locator for further information.
On the high street there is much more variability as to whether shops will close or remain open – including amongst the city’s major shopping destinations like Cribbs, Cabot Circus and The Galleries.
A statement on the Cribbs Mall website reads: “This is a not-for-profit gesture to enable our community to pay their respects at no cost for tickets. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family at this difficult time.” It also notes that while the Vue cinema will be closed for scheduled screenings, it will broadcast the royal funeral free of charge from 10am.
Most shops at Cabot Circus Bristol will be closed on Monday, with a small minority open only in the afternoon, once the funeral is over. These include the restaurants Friday’s, GBK, Nando’s, Pizza Express, Slim Chickens, Tortilla, Wingstop, YO! Sushi and Zizz, all of which will open from 3pm only.
The Gym will be closed between 10am and 2pm, while Escape Hunt will open only after 5pm. High street favourites like Accessorize, The Body Shop, Flying Tiger and River Island are amongst the many outlets which will be closed all day.
A message from shopping centre management reads: “We advise you that individual store times may further vary, please contact the store directly if you have any questions, before travelling to the centre.”
Some shops at The Galleries, Broadmead will welcome shoppers while others are expected to close. Outlets expected to keep their doors open include, Fone Clinic, Home & Gifts, Boots, Acu-Herbs, Chopstix, Olivio, Moona, Butlers, Burger King, DAM Health, Mizusawa, Subway and Everything £1.
A statement on the shopping centre’s website reads: “On Monday 19 September, while The Galleries will be open from 10am to 6pm, a number of our shops and cafes may either be closed or may adapt their opening hours.” Management advise anyone going shopping in Broadmead on Monday to call the shop they intend to visit and confirm that it is open.
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