Lockdown is ending and we are off to the shops!!!!!! :)))))))))

[pigeon999]

Yes we can book hair appointments, nail appointments and banish the roots in a matter of weeks. We can shop today!! We are counting down the days to hotels, restaurants and bars opening. We are breaking out.

We have turned a corner in England people!!

The lockdown is ending at long last - so what are you doing today?

Obviously the opening of non essential shops didn't apply to the grand folk of East Dulwich, they can just bend the rules.

to be fair, all my local shops ( and restaurants!) have stayed opened for non-contact deliveries because it never was against the rules not to! And many shoe shop owners have done exactly like that East Dulwich one, what's so strange about it?
That's exactly how I bought shoes for my kids, and I don't live anywhere near East Dulwich. I don't like East Dulwich and this part of Greater London...

I also sincerely hope that the Daily Fail get hold of this and the charming little shop Biff are exposed as having "bent the rules" for the terribly well off, whilst the others just need to wait and need to wait even longer according to you @EmbarrassingMama !

Name and bloody shame those retailers than bent rules, whilst others that didn't are losing their businesses!

I detest this the "rich" like Dominic Cummings don't need to obey the rules!

BIFF NEEDS TO BE SHAMED FOR THEIR LOCKDOWN RULE BENDING!

Yeh, In truth, my actual tiny high street used to have actual shops.
Now they’re gift shops and bespoke jokes.
V v v cute tho.

It’s like my high street got a root canal.

Staying home, working and supervising home school work.

OP- misery loves company!! Hope you have a fantastic time. I admire your positivity. Seems like some posters want to drown in their own despair . Leave them to it and have some fun

Well we are back!!

It was a very positive experience! Young families everywhere, I would say a Saturday afternoon atmosphere rather than a Monday. Definitely lots of people out and about, but we parked easily.

Observations:

Everyone was respectful
Shops were ready very well organised for social distancing
The summer sale has started early - so we bought more than intended least of all because I can't find girls shorts anywhere this year
Not every shop is open, some are opening later
Bunting on lots of shops etc and a feeling they are really trying to welcome their customers back
Lots to eat thanks to new food vans
A real coffee was amazing after all of this time
Market was up and running which was unexpected
Lots of parents with prams and buggies and children, I didn't expect to see so many

We now have shoes!!!!!!!! At last so my children do not have to wear flipflops in the rain anymore.

We had a great time :)

understandmenow
what are you on about? You seem very angry
You do know pretty much the entire country didn't stop shopping during the lockdown don't you?

You had someone come to your home with a variety of shoes @FleurDaxeny? Wait at the end of the garden, handing over different siizes and selections? I think that's a service for the privileged, most online shopping is order, don't like it you have to post it back.

@pigeon999 sounds good. Glad it went well! Really great to hear people are handling it respectfully.

I a, ordering some sweet little tradesman to come to my house with an assemblage of pheasant.

I had big plans to head into Oxford for some shopping. Then I realised I don't have a face mask or any other sort of face covering for the bus journey in. I guess I can wait a little longer.

understandmenow

I think that's a service for the privileged, most online shopping is order, don't like it you have to post it back.

Or you can see it as a desperate attempt from local shop owners to make a living and encourage sticking to local shops instead of going to the usual bigger online retailers...

It might be lucky to have this on offer, but priviledged?

Have fun OP! We’re still in lockdown but mum is coming over later to sit out the back.

I don’t know if I’ll be going to the shops when they do open, mainly as I worry just going to Tesco etc, in and out quick as. Desperate to see my friends though so we’re planning a picnic sometime next week if it’s dry.

@FleurDaxeny I am angry, angry that some judgemental posters are flouting the rules and then calling other people's purchases tat!l, when those people aren't flouting the rules.

I'm angry that certain shops "bent" the rules, whilst others who stuck to the guidelines will fail.

Anyway Biff website shows them to be open again today, is buying there still tat?

Well done @pigeon999, that actually sounds like a great uplifting day and I'm not surprised at your positive experience. People in the main are respectful.

@pigeon999 I'm glad you had a lovely time.

You make it sound like normal life.

I need a couple of things in Dunhelm at some point, my ironing board cover has a nasty tear in it among other things, and although I could get them online I think Dunhelm is going to be my first shop, apart from the supermarket since the lockdown.

Quite looking forward to it, as pathetic as that makes me sound.

Working from home and carrying on as I have been, I cannot be bothered queuing to buy pointless tat I don't need.

@understandmenow are you always so outraged by everything? I can’t believe use of the word “tat” has upset you so much.

I’m thrilled you all enjoyed the provocative mention of East Dulwich. And for those with knickers all twisted - don’t panic! The Start-Rite paper print out is all we used.

We are in Scotland but even if I was in England I couldn't be less interested. Always hated shopping and will go even less now I've realised I can get almost everything online.

Why do some people need to label other people's purchases 'pointless tat'.

The OP bought shoes. I wear shoes. I certainly don't consider them pointless or tatty.

@Drya the Tfl website says that a mask can be as simple as a scarf or bandana tied round the back of your head. In case that helps. Any kind of barrier across nose and mouth works.

I’ve always considered shoes a basic necessity, rather than tat.

@FleurDaxeny you do realise that some people just can't afford the more expensive local come to your home service? Why should they not be able to but what they can afford without having derogatory comments made about their perfectly rule abiding purchases?

not today, but taking the kids to the zoo next week! ha. Finally an activity that isn't just going to the park

So here’s how it goes

I buy thoughtful, considered, meaningful items

Other people buy nasty, consumerist, pointless tat.

Clear now?

The food vans outside sound a great idea. I can't see that happening in my city centre, too congested.
Glad you had a nice time op.