Morrisons turns down volume of its checkout beeps as music and tannoy announcements are scrapped out of respect for the Queen

• UK Businesses are paying tribute to the monarch after her death on Thursday
• Morrisons shoppers believed it had completely turned off self-checkout beeps
• The store previously said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by Her Majesty’s death
• Some of UK’s big supermarkets prepare to close for Queen’s funeral on Monday
• Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing

Morrisons has turned down the volume of its checkout beeps and turned off its music and tannoy announcements out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II after her death on Thursday.

The supermarket chain, which issued its ‘sincere condolences’ to the Royal Family on Twitter following the Queen’s passing, has opted for a quieter in-store environment, as businesses across the UK are paying tribute to the late monarch.

A Morrisons spokesperson told The National that the grocery stores’ checkout beeps had been turned down, while its music and tannoy announcements had been completely scrapped.

Following allegations from shoppers on social media, it was initially reported that the supermarket chain had turned the noises on its self check-outs off entirely.

But a Morrisons spokesperson told MailOnline that the rumours circulating online were not accurate. The store ‘turned down’ the beeps on the checkouts a ‘little’ bit as the ‘music and tannoy announcements’ in its stores have been switched off, they confirmed.

The supermarket previously said the chain was ‘deeply saddened’ by Her Majesty’s death and applauded her for living a ‘life of extraordinary public service.’ 

Morrisons has turned down the volume of its checkout beeps and turned off its music and tannoy announcements out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II after her death on Thursday

 Following allegations from shoppers on social media, it was initially reported that the supermarket chain had turned the noises on its self check-outs off entirely

Morrisons previously said the chain was ‘deeply saddened’ by Her Majesty’s death and applauded her for living a ‘life of extraordinary public service’

The store’s apparent tribute comes as some of the biggest supermarket chains in the UK prepare to close for the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

Businesses up and down the country will close their doors on September 19, which King Charles III declared a bank holiday.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons could shut big supermarkets as a mark of respect to the Queen and to allow staff to watch the funeral on TV.

The four large supermarket chains are expected to shut for four hours, roughly between the 10am and 2pm, The Sun reports. 

Meanwhile, John Lewis department stores and the majority of Waitrose’ shops are to shut all day and clothing giant Primark has confirmed that all of its 191 stores will close as a mark of respect. 

DIY giant B&Q has also said today it will close all of its stores and will suspend its click and collect and home delivery services on the Bank Holiday.

Smaller convenience stores are expected to stay open as usual on Monday.

Plans for the closures are thought to be almost finalised for some of the stores, while Asda said a decision on whether to close is still being made. 

John Lewis Partnership, which owns Waitrose, will keep just ‘a handful’ of food shops open along the funeral procession route.

‘When full details of the funeral are confirmed, an exception may be a very limited number of Waitrose stores on the route of the funeral procession to serve members of the public who we know will be lining the route for many hours,’ the company said in a statement. 

The few shops that could be left open in London, however, will close for the funeral itself, they added.

The company is also set to close the remaining 300-plus Waitrose stores for the day. 

Waitrose holds a Royal Warrant and is sells Duchy of Cornwall products. 

The retailers’ 34 John Lewis department stores across the country will all close during the funeral.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons could shut big supermarkets as a mark of respect to the Queen

The five large supermarket chains are expected to shut for four hours, roughly between the 10am and 2pm, The Sun reports

Andrew Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, The John Lewis Partnership said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

‘We will be closing our stores on the day of her funeral as a mark of respect, and because we believe this is the right thing to do for our Partners and customers.’

DIY chain B&Q has also said today it will close its doors next Monday.

A spokesperson said: ‘As a mark of respect for the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and to offer our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects, we have taken the decision to close all our UK stores on Monday 19 September. 

‘Our click and collect and home delivery services will also be temporarily suspended on the day.’ 

High street clothing chain Primark will also close, with its spokeswoman saying: ‘Our stores, depots and head office in the UK will be closed on Monday September 19 to give our colleagues the opportunity to pay their respects and watch the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

John Lewis Partnership is set to keep ‘a handful’ of shops open and close the remaining 300-plus Waitrose stores for the day

Clothing giant Primark has confirmed that all of its 191 stores will close as a mark of respect

‘We will reopen as normal on Tuesday September 20.’

The government has issued advice regarding the Bank Holiday to businesses.

‘Some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however, this is at the discretion of individual businesses,’ it said.

A two minutes’ silence will be held at midday next Monday for the Queen’s state funeral and the London Stock Exchange will close.

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