They believe it’s “very disrespectful” to be asked to close.

According to The Irish News, “Shop staff in a majority nationalist Co Derry town have vowed to defy an order to close during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral next week.”

Queen Elizabeth II is due to be buried on Monday 19th September, with many UK businesses closing to pay their respects. However County Derry is an overwhelmingly nationalist county, and employees of a Supervalu in Dungiven will allegedly refuse the order to close for the funeral.

The Irish News reports that Musgrave NI made the following announcement when it comes to Monday’s closures:

“As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Musgrave NI’s company owned SuperValu and Centra stores, along with Musgrave MarketPlace branches will close to customers from 10.30am until 1.30pm on Monday, 19th September.”

According to The Irish News, this refusal comes as a community group that gives out free food called Community Fridge was also asked to close for the service by a local Church of Ireland Minister.

In response, Local councillor Mr McGlinchey said this of the request to close:

“I am sure even the Queen would not want a food bank to close. People are entitled to respect the Queen in whatever way they want but to phone businesses and ask them to close is another thing. It’s very disrespectful to the wider community of Dungiven.”

There has been much controversy around closures ahead of the Queen’s funeral. Center Parcs in the UK got into particular strife when they notified guests to evacuate the premises on Monday and that park would be closed for 24 hours.

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