A number of national retailers have confirmed that they will be closing on Monday, so that staff can pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
With the day now a Bank Holiday, many companies have taken the decision to either close for the whole day, or for the duration of the funeral.
Aldi was one of the first companies to confirm that all its stores would close for the day, with rival discounter Lidl soon confirming that it plans to do the same. Sainsbury’s will also close the majority of its stores.
John Lewis and Waitrose stores will be closed, with the exception of a small number of stores in the London area.
Primark and Poundland have also confirmed they will be closed. B&Q and IKEA stores will also be closed for the day. Dunelm will also be closed.
Companies such as Tesco and Asda are yet to confirm whether they will close for the whole day, but it’s expected that stores will close for the duration of the funeral, with billions of people across the world expected to tune in.
Official Bank Holiday guidance from the Government:
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.
More information
The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and we would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.
Does this bank holiday mean individuals can have the day off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers. However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.
Some employment contracts ask individuals to work some Saturdays/bank holidays. Can these individuals take this bank holiday off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.
If an individual will have to work on the day of the funeral – can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
If an individual will have work on the day of the funeral – will they be paid extra?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer. There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays.
If an individual has annual leave booked for the day of the funeral – will they be able to reclaim this leave?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?
Yes, this bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK.
Is this an official bank holiday, or does it have a special status?
This bank holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.
Was King George VI’s funeral a National Holiday?
No, King George VI’s funeral was not a bank holiday, but the government wants to help give as many people as possible the opportunity on the day of the State Funeral to mark Her Majesty’s passing and commemorate Her reign.
Will there be a bank holiday for the Coronation?
No decision has yet been made. A decision will be made nearer the time.
Will the bank holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral be an annual holiday?
There are currently no plans for an annual holiday.
Will schools be closed on the day of the bank holiday?
Yes, schools will be closed, we are not asking them to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
