King Charles' coronation: Will shops and restaurants be open? Here's what we know

There is no legal requirement for shops and restaurants to close while the King's Coronation is taking place and every business decides whether they shut or stay open.

All the major supermarket chainswill operate normal opening hours but some indie store owners might choose to lock their doors and give their staff the day off, or the chance to watch the ceremony.

If you do need to do any shopping on May 6, check the website of whichever shop you are going to or contact them if they don’t have a website, to avoid disappointment.

Will shops close on the day of King Charles III's coronation?

The Coronation of King Charles III is set to be a historic occasion, with millions of people planning to watch as the monarch and Camilla Queen Consort are crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Celebrations will continue across a long weekend, with the service and royal procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and back on Saturday, the star-studded Coronation Concert on Sunday and an extra bank holiday on Monday.

No shops or supermarkets have announced any intentions to close on the day of the coronation – with all the major supermarket chains operating at normal opening hours.

While all of the popular retailers will be open, some smaller shops might choose to close to give their staff the day off, or the chance to watch the ceremony.

If you plan a shopping spree, make sure to check the retailer’s or store’s website for more details or call them directly.

As Monday, May 8 is a bank holiday, shops may have different opening hours, and this includes supermarkets, which may open or close later or earlier than usual.

Last year most major chains closed their doors on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, which took place on September 19 2022.

Read more:

⋙ King Charles' coronation: Princess Anne appointed new role that gives her vital part in the ceremony

⋙ Brits warned of potential disruption to King Charles' coronation

Will fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s be open for Coronation?

McDonald’s has more than 1,270 restaurants in the UK. Approximately 1,100 of these are franchised, which means they are able to choose their own working hours.

This also means opening times vary across the country and there is no standard time when they stay open. To be absolutely sure of the opening times of your local store, use the McDonald's restaurant finder tool online.

According to Mirror, which has checked several fast food restaurants across the UK, most of their locations will be open over the whole bank holiday weekend.

However, you may find a handful will stay shut on Monday, or they may have shorter opening hours.

Read more ⋙ King Charles' coronation is £50m more expensive than Queen Elizabeth's: Who is paying for it?

Sources used:

- Metro: 'Will shops close on the day of King Charles III’s coronation?'

- Mirror: 'McDonald's opening times for King Charles III Coronation: See when restaurants will open'