Marks and Spencer's

[Daisy03]

I don't want to get into the whole debate of whether lockdown is right or wrong!

But aren't M&S taking the piss and bending the rules by keeping stores fully open.
I understand yes the food hall, but most of these are in separate rooms or floors and could be easily split off.
I understand they're struggling but to me it's a bit of a kick in the teeth to those smaller and independent shops that are also struggling but following the rules. What's to stop some of them selling something essential so they can open, and then why bother closing any retail or claiming to be in lockdown at all?

@TeddyIsaHe

If people cared as much about poverty, or racism or women’s rights as they do about what frigging shops are open, the world would be infinitely better.

So bloody true

I remember when my dad went in to hospital. We didn't have any decent pyjamas, slippers, dressing gown or boxers for him. He just wasn't the sort to wear them. Quite old fashioned, got up, washed and dressed immediately.
His admission to hospital was for a very serious condition. I remember choosing this stuff for him in M&S in tears - I was on my way to the hospital and Mum felt it was important.

Alcohol is very much essential to heavy drinking alcoholics. Stopping drinking suddenly can be fatal.

Also, whilst alcohol exacerbates domestic violence, withdrawing it would make things even worse.

@TeddyIsaHe

If people cared as much about poverty, or racism or women’s rights as they do about what frigging shops are open, the world would be infinitely better.

This 100%

All the time the schools and workplaces are open people will need clothes - last pair of tights ripped, child poured paint over school skirt etc.

I take the point about this seeming unfair to smaller shops, but if M&S/supermarkets don't sell the 'non-essential' items then people will just go to Amazon, or people without internet access will suffer. Imagine if your kettle or hot water bottle or something needed replacing and you had to wait until the end of lockdown!

Boots is still doing gifts.
I think it's ok, I would rather there was some retail shops left at the end of all this.

Then don't shop there...

I am very pleased that M&S have taken this decision. Once you go into a shop which is allowed to open because it sells foods I don't see any problem with them keeping all their items available to the public including clothes. Won't make a blind bit of difference.

I am sick to the back teeth of the government telling us what is essential and what isn't and of people who think they are here to police the rules on their behalf...

You can opt to stay home for a month and not shop anywhere. Problem solved.

@PurpleDaisies. They could still order it online.

But we definitely don't need the 50% plus of the population who drink alcohol regularly congregating in the alcohol aisles and spreading the virus to each other as they scuffle for Christmas bargains.

I know of an independent toy shop which is being allowed to open - because they have a cycle and hardware department as well!

Much of it doesn't make sense.

The rules on being allowed to go out only allow essential shopping, so although garden centres are open, I'm not sure who is actually allowed to go there!

@TeddyIsaHe

If people cared as much about poverty, or racism or women’s rights as they do about what frigging shops are open, the world would be infinitely better.

THIS ^

In Spades!

M and S in Ireland are not selling anything except food

Not strictly true, the fancy toiletries section is open. I bought some Nuxe and L’occitane gift sets yesterday.

I am pissed at the lack of kids clothes though, they had that open last time.

Ooh this again. Can’t really get worked up about it. If they are open for food people will be in there anyway.

I would rather there was some retail shops left at the end of all this.

This 😔

People are only supposed to be going out for essentials but the list of shops open means the reality is very different so it won’t be helping stop the spread whilst people go and buy cushions and Christmas decorations etc and all the stores forced to close face hard times.

It should have been all (leaving just supermarkets and chemists open or none.

They could still order it online.

I think you’ve failed to understand the social situations that many of these alcoholics live in. Relying on online delivery is a ridiculous thing to suggest.

I agree, for most people alcohol is something nice to have rather than an essential but many people don’t realise how dangerous withdrawal can be.

Perhaps we should get the army involved IceCreamAndCandyfloss?

The small independent shops you mention are probably as adversely impacted by online shopping.
Even if the non-food areas of stores weren't open, they could still do click and collect on the other stuff - on occasions that I buy from M&S I mostly use click and collect anyway.
The clothes/homeware sections of supermarkets won't make a lot of impact, but thinking about the layouts of M&S stores I go in, I doubt keeping large clothing floors open is especially profitable with a much reduced footfall.
Not to mention the cost of all those extra staff they need to force reluctant shoppers like OP in against her will .

Your head is about to spin like a Catherine Wheel when I tell you that Max Spielmann are still open

You can tell how jealous and bitter some posters are.

Of course if independent shops have to close, so should the clothes department from all the bigger stores, it's not rocket science.

Most smaller shops have had to step up and offer online shopping, and free local deliveries too. Let's hope it's enough for them to survive.

How the fuck is "poverty" or "human right" gonna be improved if your local stores go under? Some of the owners are single mothers, you realise that don't you...

I bought a dress, necklace and tights in M&S yesterday. Then went to Boots and bought a new lipstick and perfume. Entirely as a matter of principle.

The public have been asked to lock down again for the NHS. If Specsavers, dentists, chiropodists, etc, are open I would like to know why my DD's ASD/ADHD unit is shut and why my local MH Trust has shut the safe havens for those in crisis, especially those for young people.

YABU for singling out M&S. I bought perfume for my mums birthday in Boots yesterday. Obviously not essential but I preferred to get it from the High St rather than online.

If a shop is open and you don't want to go there, don't.

It is a shame for the independent shops.

OhTheRoses

You cannot come on here telling us you bought a perfume and lipstick without telling us what you bought! Them is the rules!

Last lockdown the local M&S closed everything except for the food hall

A few weeks later some things had been moved to the walkway that leads to the food hall, childrens underwear and a few clothes, birthday cards etc

A few weeks later the walk way to the food hall had expanded by at least double and now had umbrellas and a few basics for the women wear

Then they gave up completely, changed the entrance to the food hall to the opposite end of the women’s wear so the whole downstairs was open...in theory

The mission creep struck me as amusing