Oxford Street shops - crowds without distancing

[VenusOfWillendorf]

I've just been watching the BBC news over my lunch, and they were reporting on the shops reopening. The first shopping center they were at looked good - queue to get in but well distanced and marked out and everyone looking happy to be out and about again.

Then they went to NikeTown on Oxford street - it looked more like the opening of the Black Friday Sales! There looked to be no distancing at all - just a crowd literally pushing and shoving to get in the door.

I don't understand why the shop opened at all with a crowd like that - surely they should have remained closed and had their security (who looked to be overwhelmed) tell everyone to go home? Or does the fact that there seemed to be no distancing with the demonstrations at the weekend make the whole thing meaningless anyway?

Should shops that are unable to enforce social distancing either inside or outside be allowed to open?
YABU - They should be open, they all need the income now
YANBU - They should close if they can't maintain the rules.

[annabel85]

The ship sailed with crowds social distancing with the BLM mass gatherings.

[Freddiefox]

And the beaches

[cardibach]

Most of the BLM protests around the country were socially distanced.
All shops can provide social distancing. People who won’t do it should be sent away. Shop stays open for those who can do it.

[flamegame]

We have to wait and see what happens now. I despair at people that can’t distance but we have to try to get back to normal.

[MorrisZapp]

The Nike scenes are baffling. Surely after three months the bosses there understand the need for social distancing? Why didn't they have marks on the pavement and why did they open the door to a literal crush of people? Supermarkets got on top of this in a matter of days.

[tectonicplates]

I'd like to know what method of transport they used to get to Oxford Street. Londoners are still being told we're not supposed to use public transport unless it's an essential journey.

[squashyhat]

Anyone who goes to Oxford Street on the first day of shop opening after 10 weeks of lockdown deserves everything they get.

[tectonicplates]

@MorrisZapp The chances are they do have marks on the pavement and everyone is ignoring them.

[annabel85]

@MorrisZapp

The Nike scenes are baffling. Surely after three months the bosses there understand the need for social distancing? Why didn't they have marks on the pavement and why did they open the door to a literal crush of people? Supermarkets got on top of this in a matter of days.

The scenes outside many supermarkets were chaotic though for a couple of days. The shops will have to adjust and the customers will.

After weeks of mass protests in central London with mass gatherings, Oxford Street was never going to be two meter distanced queues today.

[annabel85]

@tectonicplates

I'd like to know what method of transport they used to get to Oxford Street. Londoners are still being told we're not supposed to use public transport unless it's an essential journey.

Well in general people don't drive there and given house prices not many can afford to live within a short walk. It's mainly going to be the tube and buses.

[The80sweregreat]

Haven't they heard of websites?
What do people need so urgently?
It's very odd

[SoupDragon]

@The80sweregreat

Haven't they heard of websites?
What do people need so urgently?
It's very odd

It's not about needing things, it's about wanting to do normal things again. A website only gives you the "things" not the "feeling".

[OceanPacific]

Madness. Utter madness. And that's without the COVID threat.

[theonlywayisapple]

Most of the BLM protests around the country were socially distanced

No they weren't.

[bigbluebus]

I'm baffled by the whole obsession of getting to Nike on day 1. I'd like to think it's because everyone has worn out their sports clothing during lockdown due to all the exercise they've been doing but I very much doubt it! BBC breakfast reported from Cheshire Oaks outlet this morning - the first 2 cars in the queue the occupants said they were heading for Nike! And seemingly the same in Oxford Street.

[tectonicplates]

Well in general people don't drive there and given house prices not many can afford to live within a short walk. It's mainly going to be the tube and buses.

Exactly. And yet we're still being told not to do so. Also today is the first day it's compulsory to wear face coverings on the tube. I don't know how that's really enforceable seeing as the tube seems to be full of people who don't care. How frustrating for the actual essential workers.

[Heko]

No they weren't.

Yes they were

[bubbleup]

No they weren't

[CakeyCakeyCakeCake]

I’m in Australia and things here are pretty much back to normal, although last month my DH went to the Apple Store.
Bouncers at the door, people queuing on marked spots, everyone issued a mask AND had their temperature taken as they entered.
That’s how it should be done.
DH was given a slot and told to come back in 2 hours time.
In all honesty though, in our part of Aus we’ve been clear for weeks.

[Reallybadidea]

Even if the BLM protests weren't socially distanced (and the one I went to was), they were outside, as are beaches. Much lower risk than crushes of people inside a shop.

[justasking111]

I saw the news all the women at primark were social distancing, whereas the NIKE shop was a queue of young men who were pushing in. Doh. Men do not like to queue do they

[feellikeanalien]

So it seems that the idea that we would all be less obsessed with consumerism as a result of lockdown has gone out of the window on day 1!!

[KitKat1985]

I think people will calm down in a couple of day, but I do think security should have been a bit firmer with people. Though frankly I think most people have given up with social distancing now.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Has there, perhaps, been a release of a new line of trainers recently? The new 'must haves'?

I despair of these shops. I want actually running shoes not 'fashion trainers' and they are quite hard to come by as, apparently, everyone wants to buy 'show trainers'.

[PuntoEBasta]

@squashyhat

Anyone who goes to Oxford Street on the first day of shop opening after 10 weeks of lockdown deserves everything they get.

I am so very sick of the prevailing rhetoric that everybody-else-except-me is stupid / selfish / thick.