Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think non essential business shouldn’t be open at all

109 replies

fourpeasinapod · 26/04/2020 12:53

My title is a bit vague, but I’ll explain below.

In my town, and I’m sure a lot of places are doing this now, most restaurants and coffee shops are open for deliveries which is fine as long as social distancing is maintained when they deliver to the customer but they all seem to be allowing customers to come down to the store and collect their food if they want to instead of delivery.

AIBU to think this is contradicting the lockdown rules? How is this essential travel going down to the chippy to collect your dinner? You have to stand outside in a line and I can imagine social distancing isn’t being adhered to whilst this is happening.

Some might say I’m wrong because eating is essential but surely I’m not wrong to think such establishments should remain completely closed or at least only make it delivery only?

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 26/04/2020 13:46

Most of the local cafes and pubs are family run. There is no endangering of those poor put upon staff... who want a job to go back to!

Where they deliver and need extra staff they too have specific pick up times and don't congregate.

Original poster
fourpeasinapod · 26/04/2020 13:47

Look whilst I still have concerns with social distancing in queues, I know that it’s not really feasible for deliveries. I won’t be responding to this thread after this as I’ve expressed my opinion and taken into account the views of others

OP posts:
lljkk · 26/04/2020 13:51

Where my dad lives is "in lockdown.". Not just take aways, the mobile phone shops have stayed open. It's a drive-thru service to get basic advice, and then you have to Q standing up to buy the actual phone.

And Here I am I can't even get to see a dentist or take something to the tip.

"it is important to allow as many businesses to continue trading."

^ has my vote.

DecadentDeity · 26/04/2020 13:52

YABVU We should be trying our hardest to get as many businesses up and running whilst staying safe. The economy is tanking - people need to get back to work!

Pinkginhelps · 26/04/2020 13:54

OP. Are you a member of the Faceache police by any chance?

PhilCornwall1 · 26/04/2020 13:58

All I’m saying is, it should be delivery only. How is allowing people to come and collect and then stand outside in a street so close to people obeying the social distancing rules?

Do you queue outside a supermarket?

I had to queue outside a pharmacy (yes, I know that's essential) a week ago and there was a dick in the queue that wouldn't keep back from me until he was "persuaded".

Regardless of the business or shop, you will always get people being knobs.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 26/04/2020 13:58

You'd be better off working out why you felt strongly enough to post in the first place.

Fear is the mind killer, as Frank Herbert had his wise women say!

HedgehogHotel · 26/04/2020 14:00

I'm rather under the impression that the people who are complaining the loudest about things like this are the most secure economically under lockdown, as in they still have jobs or income due to furlough.

It's not like that for a lot of small businesses/workers. They will lose everything if they don't find a way to generate income or they'll be on the streets when this is over. There has to be a balance.

Serin · 26/04/2020 14:00

As long as social distancing measures are in place I dont mind that takeaways are open.
I wish the dentists, opticians and shoe shops would reopen. How on earth are people with growing kids going to get shoes? Or will they spend all summer barefoot at home?

MarginalGain · 26/04/2020 14:05

Coffee shops are opening up more and more around here (West London) and I'm doing my best to keep them afloat.

Went to a farmers' market yesterday and it was delightful.

Everyone being quite sensible, really.

gingersausage · 26/04/2020 14:07

It’s that super intelligent virus again that just knows it’s not allowed to infect people in the supermarket but the chippy is fair game! 🙄

justasking111 · 26/04/2020 14:07

I look at Sweden social distancing is working there. If someone wants to queue sensibly for their meal I have no problem with that.

ilovesooty · 26/04/2020 14:09

I see having failed to think before posting the thread the OP has flounced. Typical.

alibongo5 · 26/04/2020 14:12

But why on earth would you "imagine" people are not social distancing at takeaways? If people are not, they are as likely as not to be any other place they go as well. I live rurally and I don't know of anywhere that would deliver here. But I am 3 miles outside town so can nip in in 5 minutes - I've got a takeaway twice from two different places.

The first came to the door, I stood behind a table in the entrance way a good 3 metres from the door and gave my name. I stepped back from the table, they went and got my pizzas, put it on the table, went back inside and I picked it up.

The second was a standard burger takeaway. All ordered and paid for online. Again, the staff put it on the counter, retreated, and I collected. No problem.

It's a nice treat to look forward to after a manic week at work - and they both gave discount for NHS and other essential staff which was a bonus.

Bobsandbitz · 26/04/2020 14:15

YABU for some this might be a time to stay at home and enjoy. For others, there is no income coming in and it's a worrying time. The sooner more businesses can reopen, the better for everyone. No idiot wants to get the virus or pass it on someone. Social distancing rules are being followed, where I've seen, but then I don't go around policing this like some by the sounds of it. Annoys me these hypothetical "I imagine no social distancing rules are being followed". How do you know?? Do you walk over there to check!? In which case, probably not following the rules yourself! 😂

EwwSprouts · 26/04/2020 14:18

We had fish n chips last night. Click and collect at a set time. Pull up and open your boot. Staff wearing gloves & masks pop it in the boot. Was super efficient.

ellanwood · 26/04/2020 14:24

Delivery only isn't practical for a small firm. They would have to hire dozens of delivery drivers for the busy few hours and that would ramp up the cost of take outs. No reason at all why people can't collect safely using social distancing just as they do for buying food from supermarkets.

Our local Chinese was taking orders - one hour wait for collections, 2 and a half hour wait for deliveries. Their delivery man was run off his feet and people were complaining that food arrived cold or late.

CoronaMoaner · 26/04/2020 14:25

I think the guidance is quite hard to understand at times. There seems to be updates that get missed and then clarifications issued by other bodies, like the police.
I think OP has realised it’s not as simple as saying food outlets should be delivery only.
I won’t be leaving my house anytime soon for chips, but then I have a very cautious approach.

CouldBeOuting · 26/04/2020 14:33

Takeaways are allowed. My local micro pub is doing takeaways (one person allowed inside at a time). He did try a delivery service but the local authority him that his licence didn’t allow that, nor did his car insurance. Our favourite Indian is a few hundred yards away from us. They’ve never offered a delivery service but have always done collection services. Personally I’d rather collect myself than have yet another person involved in the chain.

EvilPea · 26/04/2020 14:38

I’m not sure delivery is much better.

We had our first takeaway last week. It was LUSH. We also made a bit of a pact to have a few more to support the restaurants we go to.

We don’t eat out often, but they won’t be there if we don’t.

The food was ready to go and bagged up, contactless paid for. In and out, nothing touched.

PineappleDanish · 26/04/2020 14:39

If they can maintain social distance then of course they should be open. They have to earn a living.

Our local Indian deli has recently reopened, selling chilled food to take home and reheat. One person in a shop at the time. Marks on pavement outside. They are doing everything right, and people shopping with them are supporting local businesses.

I can imagine social distancing isn’t being adhered to You can imagine anything you like, but you don't KNOW, do you? In my direct experience people are most definitely sticking to the rules and staying away from each other.

Another thread from someone who thinks we should all be locked in the house eating dust...

DecadentDeity · 26/04/2020 14:40

Someone on our facebook attempted to drum up fear over ordering takeaways - it was really awful the shit they were coming out with. Is getting your takeaway worth putting your children's life in danger kind of shit! You put your like in danger every day you get into a car - you just don't dwell on it - you take all the precautions you can and you get on with living your life.

Skigal86 · 26/04/2020 14:40

At my local chippy no one is allowed inside. You stand at the door and shout your order, contactless payment is taken through the (closed) window and when food is ready it is bought to a table at the door and the staff step back while you pick it up. There was only me and one other person there when I went but from what I understand, when there is a queue everyone is keeping their distance.

Lweji · 26/04/2020 14:44

The funny thing about your OP is that it's how you imagine the lines to be. Not even something you've observed.

jamcircuit · 26/04/2020 14:59

You have asked whether you are being unreasonable to think that businesses that you deem to be non-essential should be closed.

Now you are leaving the thread as you’ve expressed your opinion! It’s Speaker’s Corner you want, not AIBU on Mumsnet.