To hope that the shops closed on Boxing Day continue this in future years

[Hollyoakswatcher]

I think it’s great that some shops have decided to close on Boxing Day. It’s definitely been getting worse over the years with many shops opening at 6am for Boxing Day sales and I’ve always thought it’s unfair on the staff.

I worked in retail for a couple of years and it’s the hardest job I’ve ever done in terms of the physical nature of the work and then the customers. I think they deserve a lot more than just one day off over the Xmas period.

AIBU to hope that this doesn’t just happen for this one year and that other shops may follow suit.

(I do think that it’s unlikely)

@CoronaIsWatching

Back in the olden days you were lucky if you got xmas day off nevermind boxing day

Not entirely sure what 'Olden Days' you're referring to, but until the 1970s, the shops closed at lunchtime on Wednesdays and were shut on Sunday.

Earlier than that, people would still have days off if they were in essential jobs so, even if they were working on the days themselves, they'd get time off later.

Many factories would have compulsory shut downs over Christmas and/or summer which would mean time off. Some places still do this.

And way, way back in time, people had far more time off for feast days and holy days. Church Attendance was very important - Catholicism still has Holy Days of Obligation - and Boxing Day/Mothering Sunday are all artefacts of that time off.

@GlacindaTheTroll

The Boxing Day sales used to be the January Sales.

I think people deserve a proper break - especially as the covid Christmas concession is over a specified few days (so the usual swaps of 'you do Christmas, I'll have NY and we'll swap next year' don't work.

Much appreciation to the key workers who have to work or are on call, because their services have to be there.

But retail isn't one of them. Having 2 days completely closed isn't going remove a vital service.

It was one of them during lockdown when school staff (who have much less choice about when they take their leave) had to go into school to look after retail workers children.

It was one of them during lockdown when school staff (who have much less choice about when they take their leave) had to go into school to look after retail workers children.

We all need to eat, but not having access to a shop for 48 hours can't be compared to someone needing urgent medical care and not being able to access it for 48 hours.

@LakieLady

Tend to agree, always had late night Thursday which worked.

@Ginfordinner

It was one of them during lockdown when school staff (who have much less choice about when they take their leave) had to go into school to look after retail workers children.

We all need to eat, but not having access to a shop for 48 hours can't be compared to someone needing urgent medical care and not being able to access it for 48 hours.

That is taken care of by each town having a duty pharmacist who has to be open for limited hours.

That is taken care of by each town having a duty pharmacist who has to be open for limited hours.

I think you misunderstood me. I was referring to RTAs, strokes, heart attacks etc.

Definitely OP. That would be great.

With fridges and freezers we can all manage to keep enough food fresh longer than 48 hours.

And as it is winter, if you didn't have enough fridge space you could keep extra food in a sealed plastic box outside.

My dp works for a big supermarket and them opening each year is a lost rather a gain financially. But they open every Boxing Day as everyone else opens!

I feel sorry for people who are on their own and need somewhere to go, but entertainment places are open.

@Bajalaluna that's disgraceful

If everything non-essential should be closed down on Boxing Day, presumably that means MN has to shut down too. Because it would be very unfair to have MNHQ staff working on Boxing Day to service out non-essential needs.

@itispersonal that is why for some closures there should be laws for them. As we have for Sunday trading.