I think it’s fairly obvious why garden centres have been allowed. I think if most people thought about it, they’d work it out. It’s not some conspiracy to deprive children or be extra nice to the older generation.
1)their stock is fairly time sensitive/seasonal. Losing this sales season would probably put the majority of garden centres out of business- and the knock on effect would be devastating to their producers/suppliers, who are usually is rural areas with limited alternative employers.
2) most garden centres have their own parking and large sections which are outside/only roof covering. People do not try on plants as they do with shoes and clothes. It does not require personal contact as would be the case with nail salons or hairdressers. This means the risk of transmission is lower, so they are SAFER to open than smaller shops and hair/beauty salons.
3) They supply products which can be used to keep people entertained and outside and are slightly more complicated to send by post than clothes, shoes, books etc
So, if you think about it allowing garden centres to open is a relatively low risk way to allow people to go somewhere- which will make some people feel more positive- and provide some hope to a whole industry, allowing some to keep going and save people’s jobs. It’s not going to be everyone’s first choice of place to go as not everyone likes gardening, but quite honestly I think some people need to get over themselves.
@formerbabe- do you honestly think they are not opening up “something for children” to punish children?
Don’t you think it’s more likely to be, as I’ve said, a relatively lower risk place to open up and they’ve decided that this, combined with the very time sensitive nature of the what they sell, means it’s a good first step? I have children and they are finding this whole situation really hard, but in all honesty they are not the ones “sacrificing the most”, not by a long shot.
I wish schools would open soon, but I understand why it’s not going to happen in the next few weeks. And it’s not because nobody thinks children aren’t important. Once track, isolate, trace and support (under the unfortunate acronym of TITS) is fully up and running- hopefully by which time transmission rates are falling- then it can be looked at.