Manchester will host range of events this week in tribute to the Queen – culminating in the state funeral next Monday (19 September).
Central Library – Queen Elizabeth II and Manchester Exhibition – from Friday 16 September
Photo and video Exhibition to commemorate the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her tips to Greater Manchester
Manchester Cathedral Service – Sunday 2.30pm
A Service of Thanksgiving for the Life of the late Queen Elizabeth II which is open to the public.
National Moment of Reflection- 8pm Sunday 18 September
A Maroon will be set off from Central Library at 8pm to mark the start and again at the end of the one minute silence.
The Lord Mayor and others will mark the National Moment of Reflection in St Ann’s Square. The Bishop of Manchester will introduce the silence. The Dean and inter-faith colleagues will join the Lord Mayor in St Ann's Square.
The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
Big screens in the city centre will show coverage of the State Funeral from 9am on Monday 19 September in:
-
Cathedral Gardens
-
Exchange Square
-
Inside Manchester Cathedral
Each site will be open to the public without the need for tickets. There will be bag searches in operation and access to the squares will be limited when they reach capacity.
People will be able to move in and out of the big screen areas through the day
A national two minute silence will be observed following the state funeral.
The Library, the Tower of Light and Manchester Cathedral will all also be lit purple to mark the day.
The Metrolink service will be suspended in Exchange Square for the State Funeral.
Books of Condolence
The physical Books of Condolence in Central Library – along with the online Book of Condolence on the Council’s website – will close at 8pm on Tuesday 20 September.
Council service arrangements for Monday 19 September
Arrangements similar to those for other bank holidays will be in place for many services.
Scheduled grey/black and brown bin collections will still take place. These will be starting earlier than usual to enable them to finish before the state funeral starts. People whose bins are due to be collected are asked to put them out by 6am on Monday at the latest. Green food and garden waste recycling waste bins will not be collected and will be picked up on Saturday 24 September instead.
Recycling centres (tips) will be open in line with standard bank holiday practice. Street cleaning operations will be reduced but focus on the city centre, where many people are expected to gather to watch the funeral.
Libraries and leisure centres will be closed. Central Library will be closed but will be accessible between 9am and 6pm to facilitate members of the public adding messages to the books of condolence for the Queen in its Reading Room.
Parks will remain open as per regular Bank Holiday arrangements, although some facilities within them such as cafes and visitor attractions may be closed.
Normal bank holiday parking provision and enforcement will also be in operation, with on-street parking free but charges still applying in car parks.
New Smithfield Market and the Arndale Market will remain open in line with bank holiday arrangements.
Our Customer Contact Centre will be operating an out-of-hours service.
If there is an immediate threat to health or safety our emergency helplines are open 24/7
All schools and colleges will be closed.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“This Monday will be an historic occasion as Queen Elizabeth II is honoured with a state funeral.
“We recognise that many people will take comfort in gathering together to share the moment as they pay tribute to the late Queen and reflect on her long and momentous reign. We are pleased to be able to support this communal remembrance through a public screening of the event.
“As this is a Bank Holiday, people should be aware that many council services will be closed as a mark of respect. However, as is always the case we will be maintaining essential services.”