Dutch holiday park operator Center Parcs has announced it will order holidaymakers to leave its UK sites on the day of the Queen's funeral on Monday (September 19). The move has been met with shock and the company inundated with complaints as customers are set to lose out on holidays.
Its five parks will close for 24 hours from 10am on Monday. Incredibly, guests part-way through holidays will be forced to spend the night elsewhere or go home early.
If holidaymakers were due to arrive on Monday, they are being given the chance to begin their breaks a day later. In a statement, Center Parcs said it was a decision made "as a mark of respect and to allow as many of our colleagues as possible to be part of this historic moment" and added: "We hope our guests will understand our decision to support our Queen on her final journey."
Read more: Aldi, Tesco, Lidl and Asda confirm closure plans for Queen's funeral bank holiday
How to get a Center Parcs refund
Center Parcs say that every guest set to be impacted by the closure "will receive an email today (September 13) explaining the options available". Customers who want to cancel their holiday are being offered a full refund.
Partial refunds will also be offered to those whose breaks will be shorter than booked. However, there has been no mention of covering the added expense of having to find alternative accommodation or other costs incurred due to Center Parcs' decision.
In response to the announcement, guests due to stay at Center Parcs fumed. News agency PA reports one customer as saying: "Party of six – including one toddler and one adult with special needs. Driving four hours for a Friday to Friday break in (a) four-bedroomed cabin.
"Get kicked out of our accommodation at 10am Monday and can't return until the same time on Tuesday. What the hell are we supposed to do???!!!"
Another added: "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!"
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