Garden Centres remaining open

[Nonimai]

Our local large garden centres are remaining open through the lockdown and advertising their gift shops where their huge displays of Christmas decorations, cards, toys, clothing, gifts etc will all still be available. Meanwhile all our local independent stores on our high streets selling cards, gifts, toys, clothes etc are closing for a month on Wednesday.
The government guidelines are clear that we should only be shopping for essentials and taking as few trips out as possible.
I get that people need goods for their garden and I have no problem with those sales, but the primary Nov, Dec business for garden centres is indoor sales of gifts and Christmas goods.
I find this an absolute kick in the face for small retailers and really distasteful that our local garden centres are promoting their
Christmas decorations, gifts, speciality goods etc and so actively encouraging people to go out and browse.

Well, it’s an overused MN phrase but it isn’t a race to the bottom.

I’m not sure whether stores like The Range, who do sell some food, or similar, will be open. Does anyone know?

The Range was open last time. Was a bit of a life saver for all the random things you didn't know you needed until you'd run out.

As for garden centres? Our local ones are all independent shops as it's good for the community they are all staying open.

It's not a race to the bottom.

Marvellous news, owl!

but the primary Nov, Dec business for garden centres is indoor sales of gifts and Christmas goods.

As you’ve said, it’s a key part of their business. You can’t expect them to voluntarily close because other shops can’t open!

I don’t get how clothes are not essential yet garden centres are. Last time the wait for online delivers was 10-14 days, I imagine it will be worse now over Xmas.

Garden centres are usually pretty large, airy spaces, even indoors, and often pretty cold/drafty, even the top end ones.

Get where you're coming from but from a mental health perspective, Gardening was the thing that stopped me going insane. As I was the only one interested in my house, it was literally the only spot of peace I got in the garden and it gave me (and no doubt others) a sense of purpose.
I think many garden centres diversified a few years back to include seasonal stuff because they were really struggling so I don't begrudge it.
It's a difficult choice what opens and what shuts, you could argue that clothes shops are essential for those on a lower budget who can't afford paying a premium online when schools are open still, one lost coat or pair of plimsolls could be pretty dire to some right now. Our school is secondary but things do still get mislaid or pinched unfortunately, so us parents have set up a swap online for those who need it, no questions asked and people can show what they've got.
It's the time I feel for coming together and doing what we can but smaller businesses are always at a disadvantage compared to the big chains and online.

It is what it is .. yes it’s sad but what would be sadder is if these garden centres also had to close as gardening was a massive life saver for some and seeing first hand how the last lockdown affected people close to me I’m not willing to punish shops that are lucky enough to stay open .

It makes more sense having a steady flow of customers buying seasonal stock through November than having queues around the block in December, and landfill being filled up with unsold stock.

Garden centres are airy and naturally ventilated, a lower risk than essential supermarkets. Gardening is a healthy activity to do at home for body and mind.

Garden centres usually sell pet/livestock food and some have vet surgeries inside.
They may also have a farm shop and sell food.

Big ones also sell tools/twine etc that might be essential if you need to fix a fence etc.

The guidance states that the list of permitted reasons to leave the house isn't exhaustive, and more will be added. You don't yet know what these are, so YABU for complaining on that basis.

DH owns independent DIY stores, he's open, Christmas displays and all. He needs to be given the amount of money he's already lost this year. 70+ people are relying on him for their livelihoods.

Don't hate the players, hate the game.

Well you’ve made up a rule there haven’t you? It’s not about only shopping for essentials but essential shops remaining open. This has got shades of back in March with everyone moaning about what is/isn’t essential.

The garden centres round me are all independents. Anyone can buy anything from any shop that remains open.

Our local garden centre is a a family run business. They works their arses off to give an amazing Christmas display. We're doing the winter wonderland walk on Saturday actually.

Garden centres are still independent retailers however large the space may be.

I think it's daft that any shops have to close in this lockdown to be honest.

@LadyCatStark

Garden centres are still independent retailers however large the space may be.

How are you defining independant, my nearest garden centre is part of a large chain.

My local garden centres are small independents, and I hope we can go and have a look at some Christmas stuff, as there’s not a lot about for young children except chilly playgrounds. I really feel for the shops forced to close, though, as this will give an advantage to the bigger chains and online retailers.

Is it because the stock is ‘fresh’ as it were? I know all the growers and nurseries across the EU were devastated last time. Other shops don’t necessarily have to waste their stock, or can move online more easily. But I know what you mean about the Christmas displays and gifts. It does seem rather unfair on other shops, however I’m personally very glad I can visit our garden centre and the xmas display is actually one of my December highlights (sad I know).

To be honest I don't know why they are closing shops at all. I was looking at the figures the other day that show you how many infections are picked up in various places, and shops other than supermarkets had very low numbers.

It makes sense to close pubs and restaurants as obviously people meet up and hang out for a few hours mixing households, but people tend to go shopping alone or with their household and do not generally hang about in shops chatting. They could even ask shops to limit numbers through the door at one time and make sure people don't linger any longer than needed.

Garden centres will be rammed as theres no where else to go and people will be bored and its 'something to do'.

Personally i won't be going anywhere near one for this reason as it will be my idea of hell.

And i normally love garden centres at Christmas.

They should have left the shops open and put heavy restrictions in instead re numbers etc. All those businesses not being able to open whilst schools remain open seems pointless.

Why don't you launch a boycott?
Or set up a picket line to stop people driving in? You can set up a brazier and get a few placards.
Write to your MP and demand action?
Tie yourself to the roof? (ours is glass so that might be slightly reckless)

Or just chill. Our garden centre did pick up all through lockdown and then opened before any of the chains. They were amazing.

Our garden centres are independent and employ a lot of staff
And it will also keep gardeners going for a bit too

My local independent garden centre is staying open, they are classed as essential as they sell pet food.