Community / Schools, offices and shops close for Monday’s state funeral

PUBLIC life will come to a standstill on Monday to allow people to pay respect to Queen Elizabeth who will be laid to rest at St George’s Chapel following a state funeral.

Monday 19 September has been declared a one-off bank holiday by the UK Government.

Shetland Islands Council has confirmed that it will close all of its services where possible including schools, early learning and childcare.

Essential services such as social care will remain open.

Council employees scheduled to work on Monday will be granted one additional day of leave.

Lerwick Sheriff Court will be closed on Monday – as will all other court buildings in Scotland. Both UHI Shetland campuses at Lerwick and Scalloway will also be closed for the day.

All of Shetland Amenity Trust‘s buildings will be closed, including the museum and the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse.

The Shetland Recreational Trust – all facilities – will be closed all day.

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The Hillswick surgery will be closed on Monday, with Dr Bowie on call for any medical emergencies only contactable on the normal surgery number. People are asked not to contact the surgery for prescriptions or routine matters.

Inter-island ferries will run to a normal timetable, and Tingwall Airport will be open. The public bus service will also operate as usual, although any requests for dial-a-ride services on Tuesday (20 September) must be made by 4pm on Friday.

On the Yell Sound, Bluemull Sound and Whalsay ferry routes, there is a partially restricted single-vessel service anyway on Mondays to allow for maintenance.

NHS Shetland is expected to announce later this morning what health services will be affected. Once received this news story will be updated.

Meanwhile, some shops around town have also chosen to close on Monday including Tesco. The Lerwick and Brae Co-op stores will stay closed during the day but re-open at 5pm.

The Toll Clock Shopping Centre and Bolts Mini Market on North Road will also be closed. Toll Clock owner Malcolm Younger said it was important to give people the opportunity to pay tribute and reflect on the life of Queen Elizabeth.

The Gremista Waste Management Facility and Household Waste Recycling Centre will be closed, as will Harbour House and the Knab toilets. The Energy Recovery Plant will not be accepting waste.

There are changes to household and business waste collections:

• North and South Routes – Black bags which were due to be collected on Monday 19 September will now be collected on Saturday 17 September.
• Lerwick – Paper and card bins which were to be collected on Monday 19 September will now be collected on Tuesday 20 September. Business collections which were to be collected on Monday 19 September will now be picked up on Tuesday 20 September.
• Unst – Paper and card bins which were to be collected on Monday 19 September will now be collected on Tuesday 20 September.
• Yell – Paper and card bins which were to be collected on Tuesday 20 September will now be collected on Wednesday September.  Collections in Yell on Wednesday will still take place as planned.

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For community care services and social work:

• Residential and care at home services will operate as normal.
• Supported Living and Outreach Services, Assertive Community Transition and Newcraiglea will be open.
• Eric Gray at Seafield will be closed.
• Day care provision and Meals on Wheels delivery will be closed.
• Community Occupational Therapy Services and the Independent Living Centre will be closed.
• Duty Social Work can be contacted on 01595 695611

Meanwhile Lerwick Town Hall will be open from 9am until 8pm on Monday to allow the public to sign the book of condolence. The registrar’s office will be closed.

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Shetland Islands Council chief executive Maggie Sandison said: “State funerals are rare occasions in our nation’s history.

“On the final day of national mourning, this will be a time for many people in Shetland and across the UK to reflect on the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.”

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