Center Parcs REVERSES plans to close for the Queen’s funeral in U-turn after customer’s fury

CENTER Parcs has announced it will no longer close all of its parks on the bank holiday Monday for the Queen’s funeral in a major U-turn.

The holiday firm was hit by a tirade of backlash after saying families would have to leave sites up and down the country for the day.

Complaints flooded in after it revealed that its five parks would close for 24 hours from 10am on Monday.

Guests part-way through their holidays would have been forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.

Those due to arrive on Monday were going to be given the opportunity to begin their breaks a day later.

Center Parcs said in a statement that it made the decision “as a mark
of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be
part of this historic moment”.

But in a dramatic U-turn, the company has now backtracked and said guests not due to depart on Monday will not be required to leave.

It said: “The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday 19th September.

“We have however, reviewed our position regarding the very small number of guests who are not due to depart on Monday, and we will be allowing them to stay on our villages rather than having to leave and return on Tuesday.

“The villages will still remain closed on Monday, and we will be offering a discount for the lack of facilities available on that day.”

Many people who would have been affected by the closure expressed their anger on Center Parcs’ Facebook page.

One 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!!”

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It comes as…

• William & Harry could walk side by side behind the Queen’s coffin at her funeral
• Princess Anne curtsied to her beloved mum as Her Majesty’s coffin left Balmoral for the final time
• Thousands left flowers outside royal residences across the country
• King Charles III was proclaimed as King across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• King Charles’ relentless schedule was revealed – where he always skips one meal a day
• Details of The Queen’s sombre final journey back to London emerged
• A new Bank Holiday to mark The Queen’s funeral on September 19 was established

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Another wrote: “Center Parcs have left us in a right mess.

“Party of six – including one toddler and one adult with special
needs. Driving four hours for a Friday to Friday break in (a)
four-bedroomed cabin.

“Get kicked out of our accommodation at 10am Monday and can’t return until the same time on Tuesday. What the hell are we supposed to do?”

However, some people understood: “The people complaining about 1 day need a serious look at themselves. I also miss out on one day because of this news, but it is what it is.”

Another said: “Definitely the right decision. Staff should be allowed to watch the funeral.”

A third remarked: “Well done Center Parcs, it doesn’t hurt to show respect.”

Here is the full list of supermarkets and shops closing on the day of the Queen’s funeral.