Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Sainbury's shops to close for Queen's funeral as 'mark of respect'

A number of high street stores and supermarkets across the country have announced that they will be closed on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Primark, Homebase, WHSmith, B&Q, Aldi, Lidl, Poundland, Sainsbury’s and Argos are amongst the retailers which have announced that they will be shutting for the day on Monday, September 19 as “a mark of respect”.

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO said: “We want to express our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, as well as our gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen for her unwavering service. On Monday 19th September, in order for our colleagues to pay their respects, our large stores will be closed all day and our Express stores will remain closed until 5pm.”

A spokesperson for Aldi said: “As a mark of respect, all Aldi stores across the UK will close on Monday September 19 to allow our store colleagues to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.”

A B&Q spokesperson said: “As a mark of respect for the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and to offer our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects, we have taken the decision to close all our UK stores on Monday September 19.”

A Homebase spokesperson commented: “We join the country in mourning the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II and will be closing our doors on the day of her funeral, Monday September 19, so our team members can choose to mark her incredible life of service.”

A Lidl spokesperson added: “In honour of Her Majesty and to allow our colleagues to pay their respects, we will be closing all of our stores across England, Scotland and Wales on the day of Her Majesty’s funeral. Thank you to everyone for your understanding.”

Sainsbury’s said it will shut its main supermarkets and Argos shops on the day of the funeral, but said will keep convenience shops and petrol filling stations open during the evening.

Meanwhile, supermarket chains Asda and Tesco are still considering whether or not to open on the day of the funeral.

Primark confirmed it will shut all its 191 high street stores next Monday.

The value fashion chain said its stores will reopen for normal hours the following day.

A Primark spokeswoman said: “Our stores, depots and head office in the UK will be closed on Monday September 19 to give our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and watch the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

“We will reopen as normal on Tuesday September 20.”

John Lewis said it will also shut all its stores as a mark of respect.

Parent business The John Lewis Partnership said it will shut John Lewis department stores and Waitrose supermarkets all day for the funeral.

Andrew Murphy, chief operating officer of The John Lewis Partnership, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

“We will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and because we believe this is the right thing to do for our partners and customers.”

The late monarch’s funeral is set to take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday September 19 at 11am.

It was announced on Saturday that King Charles III had declared the day a national bank holiday to mark the final day of the period of national mourning.

Retailers are not required to shut their doors on the day of the funeral, and others may choose to open for reduced hours, as many regularly do on other bank holidays.

The Government guidance is: “Some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”