An East Lancashire firm has hit back after being criticised for deciding not to give staff the day off on Monday for the Queen’s funeral.

Buoyant Upholstery, based in Hallam Road, Nelson, has told its staff they will be expected to be in work as normal on Monday, September 19, which was made a bank holiday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

The firm said the decision was “not an easy one” but closing production at such short notice would have had “serious consequences”.

It said staff can take a break at 11am to watch the funeral and pay their respects to the late monarch, but would be required to work as normal before and after the service.

An anonymous staff member at the firm said the decision was “disrespectful” to the Queen.

A message shared with the Lancashire Telegraph, said to be from managing director Mike Aramayo, read: “On Monday, the day of the Queen’s funeral, we will work as normal, as we have done with all other Bank Holidays that fall out of a factory shutdown throughout the year.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall. Pic: PAThe Queen's coffin at Westminster Hall. Pic: PA (Image: PA)

“However, employees can have one hour at 11am to allow those who wish to reflect, listen to or watch the funeral on your own personal devices to do so."

The staff member said: “I think one hour is just an insult to the workers and to the Queen.

“It's not just a normal bank holiday. It's the Queen’s funeral, a state funeral.”

Buoyant Upholstery said its plan was the “best course of action” to balance business needs and paying respect to the Queen.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “We will be honouring the Queen by pausing production during the live service at Westminster Abbey.

“With rising supply and energy costs, Buoyant has suffered the perfect storm of a year like many other businesses, and the decision to remain open during the bank holiday was not an easy one.

“To close the factory for one day at such short notice would have had serious consequences operationally.

“Allowing our teams time during the day to watch the live service, or request annual leave through our holiday request process, was felt to be the best course of action.

“This approach has enabled us to pay our respects to the Queen as well as support our employees and customers alike.”

The Queen’s funeral takes place at 11am on Monday at Westminster Abbey.