Pub groups say venues will allow people to ‘gather to mourn’ as Queen is laid to rest

Major pub groups have said their venues will remain open on the date of the Queen's funeral to allow people to "share memories and pay their respects".

This weekend it was announced that the Queen’s state funeral will be held on Monday 19 September, which will be a bank holiday.

Government guidance has stated that there is “no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the national mourning period”, however “some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the state funeral”.

There is also no obligation to grant employees a day off, but the government has encouraged employers to respond sensitively in light of a “unique national moment”.

Several pub groups have said their venues will remain open to allow people to congregate, with the funeral shown on screens where possible.

A spokesperson for Stonegate Group said: “The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a momentous and sombre occasion. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time. Our managed pubs, bars and venues remain open and, where possible, will show the funeral on Monday 19 September to honour her life and service.”

A spokesperson for Greene King added: “Our pubs are a place for communities to come together, so all of our pubs in central London and most of those with televisions across the country will be open throughout Monday showing HM Queen Elizabeth’s funeral service. Customers are advised to contact their local pub to confirm opening times as these could be subject to change.”

Lawson Mountstevens, managing director at Star Pubs & Bars, said: "We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. We know that millions of people across the UK will want to come together in their local pub to celebrate her life, share memories and pay their respects.

“The Star Pubs & Bars’ estate encompasses a wide variety of individual pubs which are leased to independent licensees to run as their own. Licensees will be working to choose the most fitting and appropriate way for their pubs to pay their respects and mark this sad occasion. This will include which opening hours will best meet the needs of their local community on the 19 September or whether to close.”

One operator planning to close on 19 September is Graham Proud, landlord of the Seven Stars pub in Rugby.

He told The Caterer: “We always open on bank holidays, but we have decided not to. I’m an ex-serviceman so I want to be able to watch it and we thought we would give [the staff] a day off as they might want to watch it. It’s more important than the money in the pub.”

He added: “I’ve just put on my Facebook page this morning [that we will close], and actually we’ve had quite a positive response from it. A lot of people are going to be wanting to stay [in] and watch it. They’re not going to go to the pub. It’s just the right thing to do.”

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