Holiday company Center Parcs has sparked anger after it announced that it will close all of its UK sites on Monday with guests being forced to find alternative accommodation for the night. The company announced the decision to close its five parks for 24 hours from 10am on Monday to allow staff to watch the Monarch's funeral.
The decision follows other businesses that have decided to close in honour of the Queen. It means guests who are partway through a seven-day holiday - which can cost more than £1000 for a family of four - will be forced to find somewhere else to stay or go home early.
Center Parcs has been flooded with fuming customers who have slammed the plans and accused the company of leaving many in a difficult position. According to the Mirror, Legoland Windsor, which has onsite hotels, has also said it will close on September 19, which is now a bank holiday.
The theme park has also had some backlash on social media. Center Parcs said in a statement: "We have made the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday 19 September at 10am as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.
"Guests who were due to arrive on Monday September 19 should not travel, we will reopen on Tuesday September 20 to welcome guests.
"All impacted guests will receive an email from us today. We hope our guests will understand our decision to support our Queen on her final journey."
Anyone who has a four-day break cut down to three as an impact of the company's decision will be given a discount, while those on seven-night holidays have been emailed with options available to them. It is believed the discount offered is 30 per cent.
Fuming guests who have pre-booked Center Parc stays on Monday took to Twitter to voice their anger and disbelief at the decision to close for 24 hours. One person wrote: "Our visit was for family time after my wife has gone through chemo, radio and surgery for grade 3 breast cancer......talk about kicking a family that is already down. Thanks CP....won't be holidaying with you again."
Another said: "Very angry about this - we are not travelling directly to you, so this has left us stranded half way up the country without accommodation for a night. 30% offered is nowhere near close enough to covering the extra costs."
And one person on Facebook wrote: "We were five related families getting together for our annual family holiday - with two small children and two dogs, three hours from home! Where the hell are we supposed to go for one night?! It's that or cancel some or all of the much-anticipated holiday!
"Sorry, but this is an awful, awful decision that has left us devastated. By all means close the restaurants and activities, but let us stay on the park!!"
Center Parcs' five UK sites are: Elveden Forest, Suffolk; Longleat Forest, Wiltshire; Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire; Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire; and Whinfell Forest, Cumbria. Holidays at the villages start on Fridays or Mondays and last three, four or seven nights.
Legoland in Windsor meanwhile, posted on its website: "As a mark of respect for Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral, the Theme Park will be closed on 19 September 2022 and the Resort Hotels will be closed on 18 and 19 September 2022.
"This will allow staff and guests to pay their respects to Her Majesty. If you are visiting us the team will be in touch via email about your visit. We appreciate your understanding at this deeply sad time."
This will also apply for those staying in on-site hotels, which will be closed on Sunday the 18th, the day before the funeral.
One person due to stay at Legoland posted on Twitter: "To move my stay from mon-weds to weds-fri just got told I’d have to pay nearly £200 - what a joke. Booked months in advance for son’s birthday. You are choosing to not allow check ins Monday night but offering no compromise. Pathetic customer service."
Among retailers due to shut are Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, IKEA, Poundland, Dunelm, WH Smith's. All schools will also close, while most pubs will remain open it is believed.
Mourning guidance from the Cabinet Office states: "Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, 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."
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