Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Some shops still open today (Friday)




Despite the royal wedding taking place today, several high street shops will still be open for most of the day

A LOT has changed since the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, a point clearly illustrated by the fact that this time many shops will open their doors during the ceremony.

For that wedding, most high streets resembled ghost towns, with pubs hosting wedding celebrations the only places plying trade.

But this time, most retailers, especially large, chain stores, are open for most of today (Friday) and others closed in the morning, but open for a few hours after the pageantry has run its course by 2pm.

Some have called it unpatriotic and blamed the recession, but the fact remains that not only can you get your hair done for a street party in the afternoon but also shop for a new outfit, or almost anything you can think of.

Schools and banks will be closed and a few of the independent retailers in Newbury town centre will not open, but for the most part, its business as usual.

Not everyone is happy about it, though.

A member of staff at River Island on Northbrook Street, Lisa Evans, said: “I'm well miffed, I wanted the day off. They should have opened for Easter instead, that happens every year, a royal wedding does not. It's not very patriotic being open while the country is celebrating one of its most historic events.”

Camp Hopson is also open, but a member of staff, Hollie Yates, didn't complain: “I don't mind. But of course, if we weren't open I would have watched it. We are not expecting a lot of customers, I think we will be very quiet.”

Other businesses in the town centre that will open for at least some of the day include M&S, Wilkinsons, HMV, Monsoon, Orange, Toni and Guy, The Card Factory and Debenhams. Most are open from 10am till 4pm but some from 2pm till 6pm.

Those that have given staff the day off include charity shops, Thomas Cook and Griffins, the butcher.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More