BUSINESSES across Worcestershire will close for the Queen's state funeral as a mark of respect for our longest-serving monarch.

Shops, bars, cafes and libraries across the county have opted to close for the Queen's state funeral on Monday, declared a bank holiday.

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Some businesses, including SunBeans cafe in Malvern, are not only closing - staff are travelling to London to pay their respects in person to Her Majesty who has been succeeded by her son, King Charles III.

Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral in Scotland on Thursday, September 8 after a 70-year reign. Her state funeral is due to take place on Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday.

Before the state funeral, the Queen will Lie-in-State in Westminster Hall for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects. The cortege first visited Edinburgh, the Queen's coffin lying in rest in St Giles' Cathedral.

Businesses to close include The Hive, which Her Majesty opened in 2012 during her Diamond Jubilee tour. All Worcestershire libraries are set to close on Monday 'to allow customers and staff to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.'

Kwik Fit centres including those in Worcester also put out a statement saying they were closing. Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “While we usually remain open on most bank holidays, these are unique circumstances.  We are closing to enable all our colleagues to join their family and friends in paying their final respects as Her Majesty is laid to rest."

Other well-known businesses to close include Warren's Removals, the Dog House, Kilbury Flowers, Blackpole Recycling, Malvern Hills Trust, Gwilliams Farm Shop, Vets4Pets, Worcester City Bathrooms, Worcester Woods Country Park, Sin Worcester and The Bell in Lower Broadheath. 

Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the coffin will travel to Windsor and once there, the state hearse will travel in procession to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle via the Long Walk. A committal service will then take place in St George's Chapel.