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Wetherspoon and other businesses in Kent closing or changing hours for Queen's funeral

12:45, 15 September 2022

updated: 14:43, 15 September 2022

J.D. Wetherspoon is keeping its pubs in Kent shut while the Queen's funeral is on, bosses have confirmed.

The chain's taverns are among many in the county not opening during the service, which begins at 11am on Monday in London.

The Eight Bells in Dover. Picture: KMG
The Eight Bells in Dover. Picture: KMG

Meanwhile, Shepherd Neame, which also has pubs across Kent, will close most of them during the funeral and will shut its brewery at Faversham.

But other independent inns have told KentOnline they will stay open during the service.

A Wetherspoon spokesman said: "The majority of our pubs will open later than usual, after the state funeral, at approximately 1pm and will remain open during normal trading hours after that."

But it will open its pubs in central London, at railway stations and airports and all of its hotels during normal trading hours from 8am until midnight on Monday. Its hotels will be open to resident guests only.

This would cater for the masses of people coming to the capital that day to pay their respects,

The Minnis Bay at Birchington
The Minnis Bay at Birchington

Wetherspoon pubs in the county include the Samuel Peto in Folkestone, the Sir Norman Wisdom in Deal, the Eight Bells in Dover and the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate.

A Shepherd Neame spokesman said: "We will be closing the brewery on Monday to allow our team members to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.

"The majority of our pubs will be closed for general business until after the funeral, apart from those hosting specific gatherings for the funeral in local communities. Our hotels will remain open for normal business."

The brewery's east Kent pubs include the Sportsman in Whitstable, the Red Lion in Charing Heath, Ashford, and the Minnis Bay in Birchington.

Meanwhile Charles Smythe, boss of a string of Canterbury pubs, says his will be shut until 5pm on Monday.

Charles Smythe at one of his pubs, The Dolphin in Canterbury .Library picture: Andy Jones
Charles Smythe at one of his pubs, The Dolphin in Canterbury .Library picture: Andy Jones

These are the Dolphin, Seven Stars, Old City Bar and Black Griffin.

He told KentOnline: "This will be out of respect. I'm 52 and I'm a royalist. She was a pretty amazing person."

The Old City Bar will reshow footage of the funeral that evening.

Some pubs will remain open but will have special arrangements, such as relaying the televised coverage of the funeral.

The Elephant and Hind in Market Square, Dover, will do this but as part of its gesture for that day will open from 11am and close early, at 7pm.

The Elephant and Hind. Picture: KMG
The Elephant and Hind. Picture: KMG

Manager Harry Richardson said: "We will also serve afternoon tea that day though people will still have the option of alcohol."

Several other businesses are closing on Monday or altering their hours because of the funeral.

Sainsbury's, Aldi, Tesco, Lidl, M&S and Waitrose have all confirmed plans to close their supermarkets or food halls on Monday.

There will be with just some minor changes in place for smaller convenience stores or petrol stations.

The state funeral is from 11am at Westminster Abbey with the cortege coming from Westminster Hall first.

Afterwards the coffin will travel to Windsor Castle for a committal service in St George's Chapel.

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