Banks, restaurants and clothing shops will close in Reading town centre for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Poundland, Halifax and M&S are among the stores shutting up shop as a mark of respect to the late Monarch on Monday, September 19.

Stuart Machin, chief executive at M&S, said: “All of us at M&S – and indeed across the country and beyond – feel a real and deep sense of loss and sadness at the passing of Her Majesty, as well as huge respect for the grace with which His Majesty King Charles III and the wider royal family have led the nation in our mourning.

Reading Chronicle: Halifax in ReadingHalifax in Reading (Image: Newsquest)

“It is right that we make changes to our operational arrangements on the day of the funeral to ensure our colleagues across our stores and distribution network can participate, whilst supporting customers as they show their respects too.”

Here are the full list of confirmed closures in Reading:

  • Barclays
  • Beadle Crome Interiors
  • Co-Op
  • Fatface
  • H&T Pawnbrokers
  • Halifax
  • Iceland
  • John Lewis
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Marks & Spencer
  • Poundland
  • Sainsbury’s
  • Specsavers
  • ThaiGrr
  • WHS Smith and the Post Office inside

Reading Chronicle: A sign in the window of Iceland ReadingA sign in the window of Iceland Reading (Image: Newsquest)

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.”