Last week (September 8), The Queen passed away at the age of 96, making her the longest reigning Monarch in British history. Many events were cancelled in the wake of this news, and more closures are now expected on the day of the state funeral, which is being marked by a bank holiday. Here’s some that you should know about.
1. Some hospital appointments
It has been widely reported that some people will miss out on their hospital appointments on the day of The Queen’s funeral. If you’re due to see healthcare professionals this day, and you haven’t heard anything yet, it’s worth checking in as to whether your appointment is still going ahead and find out if you are being asked to reschedule.
2. Some food banks
Again, this does not apply everywhere, but several food banks – including some across Glasgow – could close on the day. If you or someone you know need to use a foodbank on Monday, you can use The Trussell Trust service which helps you find your nearest point.
3. Cinemas
Many UK cinemas plan to close their doors or screen the Queen’s funeral for free on Monday. Some chains including Odeon and Cineworld have announced they will close their doors as a mark of respect while VUE is currently offering up tickets to watch “In Memoriam: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Funeral” for no charge.
4. McDonald’s
McDonald’s have confirmed all their UK branches will close up until 5pm on Monday, September 19. Opening times are expected to vary after this point in branches across the country.
5. Some gyms and leisure centres
Again, this is not widespread, but some companies such as Bannatyne have decided to close their facilities on the day of the Queen’s Funeral, so checking in with your local gym before this day is advised.
6-15. The UK’s supermarkets
Tesco has announced it will close all large stores on the day of the funeral, and will cancel home deliveries. However, express stores will be open from 5pm.
Sainsbury’s is also closing all of its supermarkets on the day of the funeral. Convenience stores and petrol station branches will be open between 5-10pm and some stores will also be open during the day.
Asda are closing all stores until 5pm and are cancelling online shops for the day.
Morrisons will also close all stores on the day as a “mark of respect”, but will reopen their petrol stations from 5pm.
Marks & Spencer, Lidl, Co-op, Waitrose, Iceland and Aldi are all following suit with closures on the day.
16-21. Retailers
Argos, Homebase, IKEA, Primark and John Lewis are all among retailers due to see closures on the day of the funeral. It must be stressed that there is no requirement to close businesses on the day, but many are choosing to do so to show their respects. Checking online at the store you wish to go to on the day is advised ahead of Monday, September 19.
22-25. Museums and galleries
Plenty of attractions across the UK plan to close their doors on the day of the funeral. Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Gallery of Modern Art have confirmed closures.
26. Greggs
There will be no mouth-watering vegan sausage rolls served by Greggs on the day of the funeral, at least in most places. The chain bakery confirmed that most stores would shut to allow staff to pay their respects.
27. Football?
Most games are going ahead this weekend after last week’s widespread cancellations. Some games at the weekend, however, have been called off – including Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two, Scottish and grassroots, and have been postponed due to shortages of police officers needed for the matches. No league games are scheduled to be played on Monday, September 19, and the International break is planned to go ahead later in the week as normal.
28. Will pubs and venues stay open?
It looks like hospitality is set to stay open, with Pub chains such as Malones announcing that all their sites would be open on the day of the funeral. Again, it’s worth checking beforehand if you plan to go to the pub, but widespread closures are not on the cards here.