Center Parcs u-turns on plan to 'kick out' guests for Queen's funeral after backlash from holidaymakers

13 September 2022, 14:47 | Updated: 14 September 2022, 02:51

Center Parcs customers have warned they will "lose hundreds of pounds" after the company said it would shut its sites for the Queen's funeral
Center Parcs customers have warned they will "lose hundreds of pounds" after the company said it would shut its sites for the Queen's funeral. Picture: Alamy

By Lauren Lewis

Center Parcs has been forced to u-turn on its plans to close for the Queen's funeral on Monday after furious holidaymakers lashed out at the firm.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Customers had been told they would be turfed out at 10am on Monday September 19 for 24 hours, forcing them to find alternative accommodation.

However, after having been inundated with complaints, Center Parcs has since offered to allow guests on "longer duration breaks" to remain on site for the day.

Despite relaxing the rules, the villages are still set to close at 10am, meaning guests will not be able to use any facilities.

In a statement, the holiday firm said: "Like many businesses we have taken the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday September 19.

"This decision was taken as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.

"We have contacted all the guests due to arrive on Monday September 19 and offered them a number of different options. Our villages will be open to welcome guests on Tuesday September 20.

"The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday September 19.

"We have however reviewed our position regarding the very small number of guests who are not due to depart on Monday and we will be allowing them to stay on our villages rather than having to leave and return on Tuesday.

"The villages will still remain closed on Monday and we will be offering a discount for the lack of facilities available on that day."

Customers warned that they stood to "lose hundreds of pounds" following the initial announcement on Tuesday morning.

King Charles approved a bank holiday for the Queen's funeral on Monday, but it was left up to businesses' discretion on whether they close.

Announcing the original decision, Center Parcs said: "Following the announcement of the date of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, we have made the decision to close all our UK villages on Monday 19 September at 10am as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment.

"Guests who were due to arrive on Monday 19 September should not travel, we will reopen on Tuesday 20 September to welcome guests.

"We hope our guests will understand our decision to support our Queen on her final journey. All impacted guests will receive an email from us today."

Holidaymakers reacted angrily to the news, with some warning they would never visit Center Parcs again.

One wrote: "Our visit was for family time after my wife has gone through chemo, radio and surgery for grade 3 breast cancer......talk about kicking a family that is already down.

"Thanks CP....won't be holidaying with you again."

Read more: Scottish MP who took train with covid sentenced to 270 hours community service

David Tomlinson, writing on Twitter, said: "We are at the park now, and are staying for two weeks. What do you propose we do on Monday as we have nowhere to go, and it’s too far for us to drive home, and then drive back the next day?"

He added: "I appreciate this is an unprecedented event, but you had all of Friday to make a decision, but instead waited until this weeks guests were booked in. Guest services don’t know what is happening to those here for longer than a week."

Meanwhile a Twitter user identified as Ross said: "It would appear respect only flows one way, and that respect for your guests is not something that is a priority.

"An appalling decision, made worse by the lack of any kind of recompense for those who are now unable to use facilties that they have paid for on Monday. Unacceptable"

Others took to the Center Parcs Facebook page, with one writing: "We were five related families getting together for our annual family holiday – with two small children and two dogs, three hours from home!

"Where the hell are we supposed to go for one night?! It’s that or cancel some or all of the much-anticipated holiday!

"Sorry, but this is an awful, awful decision that has left us devastated. By all means close the restaurants and activities, but let us stay on the park!!"

Read more: Police suspend firearms officer who shot dead Chris Kaba in south London

Complaints also extended to Center Parcs' handling of affected customers, with many reporting they waited nearly an hour on the phone to speak to staff.

One said: "Have been on the phone in que for 50 minutes to complain, have emailed to complain twice but they have bounced back. This is giving me a shocking impression of how center parcs is being run."

Another woman said she waited to talk to a customer representative for 52 minutes only to get through and be hung up on.

Molly Cheesley said: "Cancelling 1/4 of someone’s £800 holiday with 72 hours notice is one thing, but leaving me on hold for 52 minutes, finally answering, asking me my name and then hanging up is not great customer service.."

She added in another Tweet: "Don’t bother calling- all their phone lines are engaged!!

"Honestly not one to complain but if you make a decision like this you need to have people available to speak to.

"I called up a couple of days ago to check this wouldn’t happen and was ASSURED it wouldn’t by your team."

Read more: John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman denied parole for 12th time more than 40 years after shooting the ex-Beatle

Center Parcs said customers who booked a seven day Friday-Friday break could chose to stay only for the weekend and receive a refund for the following Monday to Friday, or stay for three days from Tuesday and receive a refund for the weekend.

"You also have the option to cancel your full 7-night stay with a full refund," the email added.

"To cancel your break kindly complete this form and we'll automatically issue a refund back to the last card you used to pay for your booking."

The firm added customers can also receive a full refund on pre-booked activities and restaurants if these are cancelled before they are due to start.

Center Parcs has six parks across the the UK and Ireland.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England

My mum finds Jude Bellingham’s on-field antics repulsive, says Thomas Tuchel

The jury found him not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge and have not yet returned a verdict on a charge of rape.

Harvey Weinstein found guilty in New York sexual assault retrial but acquitted on second charge

Riot police vans at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena, as people take part in a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town.

Residents 'fear for their lives' in third night of Ballymena riots as 'masked thugs set leisure centre alight'

Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds at the Pantages Theatre on May 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Legendary Beach Boys co-founder and primary songwriter Brian Wilson dies aged 82

England head coach Thomas Tuchel.

'I'm in the right place': Thomas Tuchel wants to extend England head coach job until Euro 2028

The Lower Broughton Road in Salford.

Rioting erupts and 16-year-old girl arrested in Salford as ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police and 'set fire to car'

Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu following their doubles match defeat to Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe on day three of the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London

Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter beaten in the doubles at Queens

In the latest development in the family's ongoing feud, the 26-year-old has reportedly quashed any attempts from the superstar couple to make up

Brooklyn Beckham 'cuts contact' with parents David and Victoria amid family rift over wife Nicola Peltz