Center Parcs was battling a shortfall of hundreds of workers at the start of the summer season, accounts reveal, as the company reels from a row over Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. 

Filings show that the business, which operates five holiday parks around the UK, had reduced employee numbers to 8,119 in the year to April 2022, down from 8,722 in 2019.

All of its holiday parks were open during the most recent financial year to the end of April 2022 following earlier Covid restrictions.

The drop in staff levels was most pronounced in administration roles, where worker numbers were 9.5pc below 2019 levels.

There were also fewer staff in housekeeping positions and working on leisure activities by April this year.

Center Parcs said it had embarked on a hiring spree since the end of its financial year.

A spokesman said: "As of now we have actually a greater number of employees than we did pre-Covid."

It comes after the holiday park operator was embroiled in a row with customers last week, after telling guests they would have to leave on the day of the late Queen’s funeral.

Center Parcs last Tuesday announced it would be shutting its parks for 24 hours from 10am on Monday "as a mark of respect" and to allow staff "to support our Queen on her final journey". It had told guests they would be allowed to leave their belongings in their cabins and return to the parks on Tuesday afternoon.

The step sparked a fierce backlash, forcing an about-turn on the decision from Center Parcs. In a statement last week, it said: "The vast majority of our guests are either due to arrive or depart on Monday 19th September.

"We have, however, reviewed our position regarding the very small number of guests who are not due to depart on Monday and we will be allowing them to stay on our villages rather than having to leave and return on Tuesday. The villages will still remain closed on Monday and we will be offering a discount for the lack of facilities available on that day."