Local coffee shop reopening as takeaway

[wedwoses]

There's been an announcement on a local FB page about the above. Most people seem supportive but a few people are stridently anti, arguing that takeaway coffee isn't essential etc. I've looked at the regulations and they seem to allow food and drink (which I presume must include coffee) to be both delivered and provided takeaway or through collection, the government even relaxed planning rules to allow this and explicitly stated that this could be a new activity by a business even if it hadn't done it before, and nowhere in the regulations does it actually use the word "essential" as a test of what is/is not permitted. AIBU to think that if this small business (definitely not a chain) wants to do this and abides by the stringent social distancing rules, then that is just as acceptable as any other food or drink business providing a takeaway service?

Yanbu. That’s definitely allowed.

I agree. I would love a proper coffee right now. Providing you can stay safe as much as possible, I don't see a problem.

Yeah loads of places have started doing this, it’s not new

It's fine, I'm sure they will be following social distancing and hygiene standards. If we don't want these small businesses to go under then they will need to start reopening

Yes, of course. One of the small coffee shops near me never stopped serving takeaway coffee, sandwiches and baked goods. It’s very well organised - you can order by WhatsApp or queue and they hand you your order from the door. The couple who run it are married and therefore have no issue with social distancing inside. Everyone is happy - the community, their customers and suppliers and them.

YANBU

Our Simmons has opened again with perspex put up as a shield .these companies have a living to make and need to adapt to survive

Of course it's fine.

Haven't loads of pubs /cafes/random places been doing just that all along?

There was no requirementfor them to close as long as they could fix social distancing, operate delivery /takeaway only etc

A chip shop here has been doing a roaring trade, as has a tiny fancy cake shop.

A lot of businesses have done this in Australia - even some really high end restaurants.

Mostly, people have been going in to place their order and pay (usually contactless but some still take cash) and then go outside to wait so they can spread out properly.

They can serve people out for their walk which keeps someone employed, farmers get their produce used etc. Key workers might need a coffee to start their day. Delivery drivers might need somewhere to stock up. There are all sorts of reasons why it is a good thing.

Our local bakers and cafe did the same. They had been delivering but it wasn't commercially viable so they reopened the shop on a "one in one out basis". It's been fine.

Absolutely fine, this business didn’t need to close in the first place. I would love a real coffee at the moment, it’s one thing I miss.
A few of the local independent restaurants have reopened as take away only. One is pre order and collection only another is delivery only.

Another in Australia. Not all coffee shops have been open but more are now for take away coffee and easy menus that can be taken away for you to heat up at home. It’s working really well. Lots of sticky tape crosses on floors for us to stand on. Keeps it simple . Everyone’s a winner. We have lots of little coffee shops and I have found some new ones on my walks which I’ll happily keep supporting

Tell the naysayers that ambulance staff and police should be able to get a coffee mid shift.

I think we need to support small bbusiness doing this.

Cafe/ bakery type places near me have all stayed open for takeaway - one has branched out into selling baking supplies and milk which is handy as if you only need bread and milk you don't need to queue for a bigger shop.

this isnt an issue at all - infact, where it can be done safely, small business' should be encouraged to operate in any way they can. they are at more risk at suffering the consequences of this lockdown then the bigger chains

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Loads of places round here doing that and a few that are open and selling ice cream only. The Fail has had a field day with that one, photographing families walking on the seafront eating ice cream. #selfish etc. Etc.

Most of the coffee places open in our neighbourhood are also selling bread, milk and eggs too, and some fruit and veg which is brill as we stand outside the window and don’t have to go in. Saves supermarket trips.

All the local cafe's and restaurants have done this near me.

They abit behind most near me be doimg that since lockdown started and also home delivery. They have to survive.

I live in North Leeds and I can choose from 6 that have opened as takeaway. That's been the case for weeks!

Quite a few of our local cafes have reopened this week having reorganised themselves to be able to serve directly onto the street. Another local one has been open throughout, selling veg boxes, milk and other essentials they’ve sourced through their wholesalers as well as takeaway drinks and food. Good for their business, at least a little helpful for the wholesaler’s business (a lot who used to support the restaurant trade are in a dire situation) and helpful for local people.

I’ve been really impressed with the imagination of some businesses. One cafe has a special 2m ice cream serving stick so no one has to get too close, rescues the amount of things being touched. Of course it’s become a local talking point. The owner says she’s doing brisket business than usual - she’s near the local rec so local footfall is much higher than usual!

This is fine, it's just that some people are very much enjoying themselves policing what is and is not "essential" and thus are ignoring the fact that being essential isn't actually a requirement.

Everywhere is doing this now. Might be me being silly but we had one dominos delivery at the beginning of lockdown and we just couldn't enjoy it. We felt guilty for the staff having to work and then were worried about contamination.

Do you still feel like this @20viona ?

I did a bit too at the beginning but I’ve relaxed now.