Optical practices across the country will close on Monday 19 September, the day of the Queen’s funeral, it has been confirmed.
Vision Express, Specsavers and Boots Opticians have confirmed practices will be closed for the day.
Asda too announced on Twitter that it would close its supermarkets, which house its optical practices, until 5pm, “to allow our customers and colleagues to recognize the passing of our late Monarch and to commemorate her steadfast service to our nation “.
Optometry groups join a number of other organisations, including schools, which will be closed to mark the funeral. The day is designated as a bank holiday.
A Specsavers spokesman said OT: “Specsavers businesses will be closed on the bank holiday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral in line with government guidance.”
The group said it “has also highlighted the wellbeing support available to colleagues, recognizing that the Queen’s death will have affected people in different ways”.
“Colleagues have been kept up to date with regular communications since the Queen’s death and the period of national mourning once government guidance on businesses, including Her Majesty’s funeral, has become available,” Specsavers added.
A proclamation it was also done on Twitter on the evening of Monday, September 12.
Specsavers patients who have booked appointments on Monday will be contacted directly to reschedule appointments, the group said.
Vision Express confirmed Monday’s closing on Twitter on Tuesday, September 13, advising patients with existing appointments to contact their practices to reschedule.
A spokesman said OTVision Express has taken the decision to close all its stores on 19 September to enable all colleagues and customers to commemorate with their families and communities 70 incredible years of service to Her Majesty The Queen.
Boots also confirmed OT that “Boots Opticians and Boots Hearingcare branches will all be closed on the bank holiday.”
Monday marks the end of a period of national mourning that has begun since the Queen died on Thursday, September 8, aged 96.
