The Queen’s Lying-In-State | What Bankside businesses need to know

  • Date Tuesday, 13 September 2022

As the capital prepares for the Queen’s Lying-in-State, we expect businesses in the Bankside area to be affected by arrangements.

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Emma Charter

Preparations for HRH The Queen’s Lying-in-State at the Palace of Westminster. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.

Better Bankside would like to express its condolences following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the longest reigning monarch in British history, HM The Queen had an extraordinary impact nationally and globally. Our thoughts are with the Royal family at this time.

As the capital prepares for the Queen’s Lying-in-State, we expect businesses in the Bankside area to be affected by arrangements. We will update you as we hear more via our newsletters and Better Bankside social media channels including LinkedIn and Twitter, but please check Government websites for the latest information.

VISIT GOV.UK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Queues in Bankside

Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Her Majesty The Queen at the Lying-in-State at The Palace of Westminster in London from Wednesday evening. The public will be able to file past the coffin 24 hours a day from 5pm on Wednesday 14 September until 6.30am on the day of the funeral – Monday 19 September.

Those wishing to attend will be required to queue for many hours, possibly overnight. Large crowds are expected and people are encouraged to check ahead, plan accordingly and be prepared for long wait times.

The queue will follow the southern bank of the river from Lambeth Bridge to Southwark Park. It is being managed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The exact route of the queue will be confirmed on Tuesday 14th September at 10pm.

We anticipate queues throughout Bankside up until the funeral on the morning of 19th September, which may have a knock-on effect when normal business resumes on Tuesday 20th September.

Travel in Bankside

Transport for London predicts the Westminster area will be “exceptionally busy”. Travel providers are advising the best way to get around central London will be by using London Underground and rail services, although there may be temporary Tube station closures at short notice, along with special queuing arrangements.

Network Rail will be opening London Bridge station 24/7 and additional Southeastern rail services will run through the night. Please be aware that some station entrance/exits may be closed to help with crowd management and security.

Visitors are being advised to plan ahead, check real-time travel information, and consider walking instead wherever possible.

VISIT TFL WEBSITE

Road closures and deliveries

People are being asked to avoid driving into London if possible. Some roads will be closed which will disrupt bus services and some cycle lanes will also be suspended.

To ensure access tomorrow morning, deliveries should aim for 7am arrival. Please brief drivers to be prepared for security checks. Please ensure that delivery drivers have photographic identification, a delivery note or other official paperwork and a point of contact at their delivery hub to verify and validate their access.

You download the map of road closures in the area but do check the Met Police Events Twitter for up to date information.

Licensing

A letter is being delivered to businesses in the northern end of the borough on 15th September along the queue route. The council’s licensing team are happy to support businesses and confirm that a late night refreshment license will not be required during this period until Monday 06:30. However, where businesses have an alcohol license, alcohol can only be sold within the times stated on the license. For any questions, we advise contacting Southwark Council on licensing@southwark.gov.uk

Security and cleaning

Met Police officers will be deployed to keep the queue safe and the public will go through airport style security before entering the Palace of Westminster.

In addition to these measures provided, Better Bankside will be providing additional cleaning staff, as well as security via our Wardens, giving reassurance to people working, living and visiting Bankside during this period of mourning.

Toilet facilities

There will be facilities all along the route including toilets and water locations at cultural organisations along the route, including Shakespeare’s Globe and outside the Tate Modern. The public toilets in the Western Arcade of London Bridge Station will also be open 24/7.

If you are able to open up your toilet facilities to the public during this time, do get in touch.

Real-time communications

Better Bankside will be communicating to our members via our newsletters, website and social media.

In addition, DCMS will be updating the public via electronic signage that will inform the public of the real-time expected wait time.

Physical branded signage will also be displayed along the route providing directions to transport hubs, welfare points (incl toilets and First Aid), and bag drop point.

We will update you with more information when it becomes available. If you had any other concerns or questions, do get in touch with a member of the Better Bankside team at info@betterbankside.co.uk