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AIBU?

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Original poster

Can we use public building to stay warm?

287 replies

Jobseeker19 · 06/02/2022 12:12

For example can we sit in the library or town hall for hours and use their central heating and charge our devices in their plugs?

I'm wondering if it will come to this if people cannot afford the new energy prices.

OP posts:
MC68 · 07/02/2022 18:25

You’re lucky if you still have a Library & one that opens more than a couple of days a week for more than a couple of hours & has a seat & desk in it!!!

The North has been starved of anything like this for years, so as much as it sounds a fab idea it’s not an option for many/anyone living in the North!

mummeeee · 07/02/2022 18:29

I realise its not exactly what the thread is about, but I bought a sort of mini electric blanket for dd (who has chronic pain). We currently have building work going on so no heating, very drafty, doors open most of the day & I find it very useful to keep me warm

Having this on my lap really, with or without a blanket over the top helps if I'm sitting and trying to work at a computer/answer emails. Obviously doesn't suit everyone but if you're sitting its very useful and cheaper than trying to heat the whole room to a cosy temperature. Switches off after a time automatically, so not a problem if you fall asleep. I'm getting my elderly neighbour one.www.<a class="break-all" href="https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B08C4S4VYX/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_PPKCYZVF82S18CN5J1NH?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-4474044-Can-we-use-public-building-to-stay-warm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">amazon.co.uk/dp/B08C4S4VYX/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_PPKCYZVF82S18CN5J1NH

midsomermurderess · 07/02/2022 18:54

@shouldistop

The Glasgow underground is a circle Grin
The Clockwork Orange.
Mandyjack · 07/02/2022 18:59

Think people who usually WFH might be inclined to do this

WrinkledlikeAudrey · 07/02/2022 19:11

I was reading this earlier and the writer mentions staying out in warm places rather than going back to cold home... www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/07/even-when-i-slept-i-was-cold-the-brutal-reality-of-a-childhood-in-fuel-poverty

Hmm1234 · 07/02/2022 19:12

Stop scaremongering it is never going to come to this! There will be plenty of schemes to help those that need it such as the Big Differnece

Alleycat1 · 07/02/2022 19:17

When I lived in a shared flat whilst at Uni we couldn't afford to heat it much and used to haunt the local garden centre at weekends. It had three huge heated greenhouses for tender plants and, as we felt a bit guilty, we always bought a coffee in the lovely, warm cafe. During the week we just hung around the campus buildings and library. I know some pensioners who spent a lot of time just travelling around on buses to keep warm but that option will soon be taken from them, unfortunately..

rosiejaune · 07/02/2022 19:19

Probably, but I was in the library once with my daughter and my dad (who didn't live in this country then; he was visiting), and while I was reading my daughter books, my dad (who has multiple chronic health conditions) fell asleep on a chair nearby (it was very warm in there), and a security guard came and told him he wasn't allowed to sleep there. I think he thought he was homeless (he had a small rucksack with him).

So even if people seek refuge in supposedly public places, they will likely be harassed for it.

Sh05 · 07/02/2022 19:27

@MajorCarolDanvers
My parents used to pay two pence at the local baths. You'd get a towel, a piece of soap and use of the hot water in the mid to late 70s.

CallmeBadJanet · 07/02/2022 19:30

If you're going to do this, at least become a library member and use the service. Libraries need all the support they can get.

Sh05 · 07/02/2022 19:30

@Hmm1234
It's not scare mongering!
Plenty of people are already choosing between heating and eating Nd many more have said they've done exactly what op is asking about.
And with prices rising all at once there'll be many more who find themselves wandering towards libraries and free entry public buildings such as museums to stay warm.it's not new but it's definitely going to become more common

ivykaty44 · 07/02/2022 19:31

For example can we sit in the library or town hall for hours and use their central heating and charge our devices in their plugs?

people already do this, free internet, heating, newspapers, magazines and books

people come in with iPads plug into the wifi and watch films
use the free internet all day long
read the newspapers, all of them
us e the loo
bring their lunch and eat at the tables provided
read books for days on end

its a public building and they are allowed to be their doing these things - but its the same 20 or so people that do this and the numbers will grow

UndertheCedartree · 07/02/2022 19:39

@strawberrrycheeesecake

I can't imagine people pitching up just to keep warm and charge their household devices.

But libraries do have charge points/sockets for people wanting to work/research etc and use their computer.

We do! We go to the library after school to spend a bit of time reading/doing homework in the warm as I can't afford to put the CH on at home.
Daffi · 07/02/2022 19:55

I wonder how poor people really are?

ineedsun · 07/02/2022 20:00

@Daffi

I wonder how poor people really are?
What do you mean?
ThistleTits · 07/02/2022 20:01

@jobseeker19
Why not, we pay for it.

Tilltheend99 · 07/02/2022 20:21

I noticed that Sainsbury’s cafe have plug sockets at some of the tables. They don’t seem to mind if you bring your own food or cheaper food from the store if you sit there with a cup of tea. Don’t think they do free refills but noticed today they had a sign saying they will fill your water bottle up,

Libraries round here, yes you can sit and read or plug in a laptop but you can also use their computers. There are free groups and activities each day including baby/toddler activities so you could get involved with the various groups. They tend to be a mix of book clubs and hobby enthusiasts. You can also borrow board games and puzzles.

UndertheCedartree · 07/02/2022 20:22

@OfstedOffred

I think this will happen. I think however that many public building will also be turning the heat down too - I think it will become increasingly common for public buildings to be at 18/19 degrees rather than higher.
Better than the 10 degrees or whatever at home! I think 19 would feel like a subtropical paradise to me! Grin
UndertheCedartree · 07/02/2022 20:25

@Bringsexyback

In France where they have charging points on the public transport you probably could literally just sit on a bus all day and keep your device going
We have charging points on our buses in my part of the UK. But riding a bus is expensive. The library is free.
Tilltheend99 · 07/02/2022 20:27

@strawberrrycheeesecake really sorry that you are in that situation and things shouldn’t be like this in the 21st century Flowers

If there is a small silver lining your DCs will be getting a lot of benefit from spending the time reading etc

Sounds like you are a wonderful caring parent.

Lovely13 · 07/02/2022 20:32

@LaurieFairyCake

You can still ride the circle line all day but I think it will cost you £8.90

Whereas you could get on and off buses all day for £1.50 Grin
I would totally do that if unemployed and couldn't afford heat

Isn’t just two buses in London within an hour? May have got that wrong. Sadiq Khan is very cross about funding, so all transport may be off soon.
Tilltheend99 · 07/02/2022 20:35

@Hmm1234

Stop scaremongering it is never going to come to this! There will be plenty of schemes to help those that need it such as the Big Differnece
Is that for help with water bills?

People are already making use of food banks and hardship funds. Those things need referrals and can’t be used more then a certain number of times a year.

The only help Gov was suggesting for energy bills (which is the real problem as they are set to go up by a grand or more) was that crazy loan scheme which sounded useless to me.

fridaleavethetweezers · 07/02/2022 20:36

I work in a library and following the lifting of covid restrictions everyone is welcome to stay. We have space for 4 people to charge their own laptops and seating areas to sit and read. Slight problem is our heating is broken and has been for a while. It’s freezing but will hopefully be more welcoming when it’s fixed!

KatyButton · 07/02/2022 20:53

You definitely can in the public library I work in, we even have free hot drinks some days and free toiletries / hats and scarves / cleaning products etc! If people are struggling I really recommend going to see what your local library can offer you (if your lucky enough to still have one....) The only downside is that due to Covid regulations we have to have the windows open so not as warm as it could be

Terfydactyl · 07/02/2022 20:54

@Hmm1234

Stop scaremongering it is never going to come to this! There will be plenty of schemes to help those that need it such as the Big Differnece
How is this scaremongering? It's not some potential issue, it's going to happen. For those on fixed incomes it will hurt. Jobseekers is £74 a week. If you think someone on such a tiny amount uses much electricity anyway you are deluded. To double that tiny amount means something else has to go or use less still. A way of using less is to sit in public buildings to be warm.

This is a public service announcement, not scaremongering.