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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

Everything that will be cancelled or closed after Queen dies - from shops to football

The upsetting news that the Queen has died has been announced - and with the nation in mourning there will be a number of changes to our day to day lives. Intricate plans had been drawn up for when Her Majesty sadly passes away, codenamed Operation London Bridge, that will see major differences to what events are on, where we shop and even what appears on TV.

On the day of her funeral, which is due to take place on Monday, September 19, there will be a bank holiday and most places will be shut or change their operating hours. Here is a look at things that will be closed or cancelled after the Queen's tragic death.

Shops and travel

There will be a Day of Mourning for the Queen (Getty Images)

The day of the funeral will be a Day of National Mourning, but employers will not be compelled to give staff a day off.

The service will take place at Westminster Abbey, and a two-minute silence will be held across the UK at noon.

The documents for Operation London Bridge show that the government will not order companies to give their staff the day off.

Most people will therefore get time off from work on the day of Her Majesty's funeral, as those who do not work in an essential service will likely be off.

Shops will close or only be open for reduced hours, but it is up to the individual business to decide whether they stay open or allow employees time off.

All the major supermarkets don't appear to have adjusted their opening times online for today - and Selfridges is the only big brand so far to stay closed today, as a mark of respect for the Queen.

The London Stock Exchange will be closed for at least the day of the Queen's funeral and possibly for several days after - which could potentially cost the economy billions.

There should be no changes to travel as there is also no obligation to stop trains, planes and buses.

The official guidance reads: "There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the National Mourning period.Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businessesmay wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.

"Public services will continue as usual, although there maybe some changes to service availability."

Football

The Queen meeting David Beckham in 2002 (Press Association)

The Premier League have announced that all of this weekend's matches have been postponed as a mark respect for the Queen.

All top-flight matches across the weekend up to and including Monday night's fixture between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have been called off.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.

"As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.

"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."

The EFL and Scottish Football Association have also decided to scrap all football league matches this weekend after having discussions on Friday morning.

It is understood football bosses had been told to gauge the 'mood of a nation' when deciding what to do during this period of official mourning.

The Queen presenting the Jules Rimet Cup to Bobby Moore after England's 1966 World Cup win (AFP via Getty Images)

The official guidance reads: "If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjustthe event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.

"As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold aperiod of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and playersmay wish to wear black armbands."

Manchester United's Europa League game against Real Sociedad went ahead as planned on Thursday evening.

It is understood United would have called the game off if asked, but fans had already started taking their seats in the ground.

United released a statement shortly after the news broke, which read: "Manchester United shares the sorrow of the entire nation following the announcement from Buckingham Palace on the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen.

"The club recognises her immense contribution to public life, including sport, both here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth, and around the world.

"Everyone connected with Manchester United joins the wider football family in sending our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to The Royal Family."

Arsenal were in Europa League action in Switzerland against FC Zurich when the news broke at half-time, so the players held a moment's silence before the match resumed.

Cricket

Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with England's Stuart Broad in 2013 (Getty Images)

It's a different story for the cricket, as Friday's test match between England and South Africa has been cancelled.

No decision has yet been made about the remaining three days of play, but all scheduled cricket matches on Friday have been postponed.

In a statement, the ECB said: "Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Friday's play between England and South Africa Men at The Oval, along with all scheduled matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, will not take place. For fixtures beyond Friday, updates will be provided in due course."

New ECB chair Richard Thompson paid tribute to The Queen and her support of cricket, saying: "I'm sure I speak for everyone in the game when I say how truly sad I am to hear of the Queen's passing. Her Majesty has been such a great supporter of the game and was always so vocal of her and her late husband's enjoyment around the sport.

"Her dedication to her country will never be forgotten. For her service and her selflessness over her extraordinary reign, we owe her a debt that can never be repaid."

The ECB has confirmed the Tes match will resumed on Saturday for what should have been the third day.

Other sport

RFL bosses were last night deciding what to do and Leeds are due to play the Catalan Dragons tonight and Huddersfield are scheduled to face Salford on Saturday in the Super League play-offs.

Boxing promoter BOXXER were also weighing up whether or not to cancel their historic all-female show at London's O2 on Friday night.

The event features Savannah Marshall's clash with Claressa Shields for the women's undisputed world middleweight title.

Horse racing has also been postponed across the country on Friday and Saturday, but will resume on Sunday.

Golf was also axed, but play at the BMW PGA Championship will restart on Saturday morning, the DP World Tour has announced.

Schools

The Queen visiting school children (PA)

Schools are currently set to remain open following the death of the Queen - with guidance being given to headteachers.

Headteachers will be informed by the Department for Education (DfE) whether school gates should shut at any point during the national period of mourning, it has been reported.

It is likely pupils will be allowed to observe the official national day of mourning for the Queen's death on the day of her funeral.

The government wants school to remain open for the majority of the mourning period.

Pubs

As with shops and office, it is up to the individual pub or chain to decide whether to close.

Many people were in pubs across the country last night raising a toast to Her Majesty.

However, pubs will be closed for one day in the Isle of Man, which is a British Crown dependency located in the British Isles.

The 24 hour period begins on Friday 9 September and ends on Saturday 10 September.

Theatres

Elizabeth II and Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1994 (Getty Images)

Theatres across the country will continue with their performances, but will be dimming their lights and observing a minute's silence.

They will also be playing the national anthem and opening books of condolences prior to performances as mark of their respect to Her Majesty.

A statement from Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre said they were "deeply saddened" by the news of the Queen's death.

The message, from Stephanie Sirr and Jon Gilchrist, joint Presidents of UK Theatre and Eleanor Lloyd, President of SOLT, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"The theatre industry is thankful for all the support and patronage Her Majesty has shown throughout her lifetime. We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning."

They added that, in accordance with advice from the DCMS, scheduled theatre performances will go ahead tonight and during the official period of mourning.

Museums and galleries

Museums and galleries will not be closing, unless they choose to do so.

They have also been told that displaying photos of the Queen's past visits will be welcomed.

According to the official guidance: "Public museums, galleries or similar venues are not obliged to close during the National Mourning period.

"Organisations may choose to close on the day of the State Funeral, however there is no obligation to do so and this is at the discretion of individual organisations.

"As with other organisations, these institutions may wish to display or share images of previous Royal visits, particularly if they are one of Her Majesty's patronages."

Television

The BBC presenters, including Huw Edwards, all changed into black outfits (BBC)

Anyone turning on their TV today will have seen major changes to the schedules - and even what presenters are wearing on-screen.

When news of the Queen's health emerged on Thursday, the BBC cleared its scheduled programming and presenters including Huw Edwards all changed into black outfits.

Coverage of the sad news aired on BBC One, with tributes flooding in as well as footage of mourners outside Buckingham Palace.

Her portrait displayed on TV along with the national anthem - as happened when Princess Diana tragically died in 1997.

The BBC will also suspend all comedy programming during the period of national mourning and they have cancelled the Last Night of The Proms as a "mark of respect".

Because it is such a major event, the Beeb regularly rehearsed how it wouldrespond to the Queen's death, so everything ran incredibly smoothly.

Other channels are not required to interrupt regular scheduling, but many have decided they will to honour the monarch.

From 5pm onwards, ITV interrupted their usual shows for an ITV News Special on the Queen - meaning Emmerdale was scrapped.

They also announced daytime TV and soaps will be axed on Friday for special coverage.

Channel 4 also cancelled their scheduled programming, including Katie Price's documentary, and replaced it with extended news coverage.

Awards

The Queen attended many awards ceremonies (Getty Images)

The Mercury Prize awards have been postponed, despite audience members already being in their seats at London’s Eventim Apollo.

The annual ceremony had been due to start an hour before the news was announced, but organisers told the crowd hey had decided to call off the ceremony "in light of the sad news".

A message displayed on the screen read: "In light of the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. we are sorry to announce that we will not be proceeding with this evening's event as planned.

"Mercury Prize will be communicating with guests and audience members over the coming days. We thank you for your understanding at this difficult and sad time.

"Dinner will not be served, we would be grateful if you could finish you drinks and we will be closing the venue at 7.30. We thank you again for your understanding."

Strikes

A number of planned strikes have been cancelled, including Friday's industrial action by Royal Mail workers.

Members of the Communication Workers Union were due to continue a 48-hour walkout in a dispute over pay and conditions, but it has now been called off after the Queen's passing.

General secretary Dave Ward said: "Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action."

Transport union TSSA is cancelling planned industrial action for September and will be respecting the period of public mourning.

Avanti West Coast members had been due to strike for three days in a row from September 15-17.

While TSSA members at nine train operating companies and Network Rail were also due to walk out from midday on Monday 26 until midday Tuesday 27 September.

Avanti tweeted: "We are saddened to have learned of the death of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and share the nation’s sorrow. Avanti West Coast sends its sympathy to the Royal Household and the nation."

Congresses

The Trades Union Congress 2022 was due to begin this Sunday but will now be rescheduled for a later date.

A TUC spokesperson said: "The General Council sends our condolences to the King and the Royal Family on the death of the Queen, and recognises her many years of dedicated service to the country.

"As a mark of respect, we have decided to postpone Congress 2022 until later this autumn."

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here

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