Can we use public building to stay warm?

[Jobseeker19]

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.

@JustWonderingIfYou my heating is set at 19 degrees. I can afford to have it higher, but that is more than warm enough.

In Swansea there is a indoor attraction which has an annual pass is £27. I'm tempted to get one so I can sit in the warm for a few hours in a tropical climate and watch the meerkats and the other creatures there.

@Jobseeker19

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.

The trouble is the old and infirm who can't get about. They are the ones that I really worry about.

The gov should be making plans to ensure anyone over 65 in social housing at least doesn't get hit with rises, although millions in their own home or privately renting will suffer in silence and in some cases freeze to death come next winter.

They already do, or they get an all day bus ticket and spend the day on buses to stay dry and warm rather than be out on the street.

I my local large library, there are only 6 seats you could sit at. Could work on one of the many PCs but only for 2 hours a day. The seats get filled up and there are no loos so if you leave to wee, you lose your seat. Can confirm some people stay there all day every day. I would beg you to borrow books though....use it or lose it.

@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.

People always have done that at my work. Sometimes we even get asked if we have got a charger they can use.

On the whole it's fine. It's only if they start being a nuisance that we ask them to limit their time.
We're talking about kicking off because they can't have the table they want next to the plugs because someone else is using it, stealing or refusing to leave when the caretaker needs to lock up.
If they come, sit quietly and occasionally buy a drink we'll often get to know them well which is nice.

This has been happening for decades.

It currently wouldn't work in my local library though as length of visit is limited by their covid rules.

Excellent example of entitlement there. I assume this is satire? I mean surely nobody is so unutterably ignorant they think that their mild irritation is more important than the very real fear people have on low incomes than they may not be able to hear their homes and feed their families? Perhaps families with elderly and vulnerable who may need more heat ?

Excellent comment highlighting the arrogance of some members of society because they are so insecure that they believe having money is a personality trait. Well played.....because of course that's what your comment is? Right? A sarcastic tongue in cheek comment?

The alternative would suggest a perspective from the dregs of society who parasiticaly benefit emotionally in order to fulfil that gaping void if lack of integrity or humanity from the more vulnerable in society. I'm sure noone would want to own being that kind of a human being.

@OakPine

In the early 80s there was a large reading room at our local library which was full all day of people sleeping with their coats on. What a country this has become when people have to choose to heat or eat!!

A lot of those people may have been homeless or in temporary accommodation- you often have to vacate your room in a hostel or B&B during the daytime, and if you aren’t working you may not have anywhere else to go.

Er, what do you think people who can't afford their heating on in the daytime have been doing for years already? 🤔

What about joining your local conservative club and camping out, or for those in london getting a pass into Westminster for the day. Just add a large poster to explain why you’re there

[quote Monopolyiscrap]@JustWonderingIfYou my heating is set at 19 degrees. I can afford to have it higher, but that is more than warm enough.[/quote]
I have mine set at 17 - but I am menopausal and am too hot most of the time. When I was in my 20s I would be shivering at less than 20.
So, it depends on person and age, and mobility and activity.
Good for you, but not everyone can handle that without getting very cold

A few people have always done this at my local library. Guess a lot more might join them.

Yes people have always done this especially in local libraries. They can read magazines, papers etc and just quietly be around people if that's what they want.

Take kids to library afterschool. Snack in the way there and a drink. You can do homework and encourage to read for 20mins.

I know a lot of people who don’t have access to the internet at home spend most of the day at the computers at my local library. They look for work and fill in job applications etc. My library has excellent modern facilities although I haven’t been there since the new COVID restrictions.

Lots of people ( particularly older) used to ride buses to keep warm.
Maybe the library is the place to be. We can all meet up there to avoid these heating bills.

It’s seriously worrying though. Especially pensioners on basic state pensions and people who can’t afford to eat and heat there homes.
This shouldn’t be happening in one of the richest countries in the world, Sunak didn’t do enough with his plans.
Council tax, National insurance and energy bills all going up in April.
This is the biggest spike in the cost of living since the early 1990s.

There are people in the Starbucks up the road who seem to spend all week there now, laptops plugged in and phones charging. I expect it will just get more busy.

I know this sounds ridiculous. I’m not the Chancellor, nor a businessman.

But what about the government basically paying a large share to the energy companies, to keep costs down. Almost like a loan.
Then, we as customers slowly pay it back over say, 5-10 years.
Basically the government pay a large share of our energy for us, we pay them back over a longer period.
May be ridiculous, but could stop people dying of cold, getting ill, getting into debt...

Not just public buildings. McDonalds usually has charging points and you can just get a cup of tea or coffee and they'll let you sit there all day.

@TheHoleNineYards

I recently learnt that boiling a kettle is one of the most energy intensive things you can do. I usually take a flask of coffee to work with me. I think I’m going to change that to bringing a flask of hot water home with me each evening

I suppose it's how you look at it. It costs 3p to boil a litre of water in a kettle.

Better than sitting in a library, go to 10 Downing Street and you can get warm and join in a party (bring your own booze) . There is usually a selection of parties to choose from.

@Hearwego

I know this sounds ridiculous. I’m not the Chancellor, nor a businessman.

But what about the government basically paying a large share to the energy companies, to keep costs down. Almost like a loan.
Then, we as customers slowly pay it back over say, 5-10 years.
Basically the government pay a large share of our energy for us, we pay them back over a longer period.
May be ridiculous, but could stop people dying of cold, getting ill, getting into debt...

Blimey, if only someone had suggested that to the Chancellor

When I was growing up we could always see our breath indoors in the winter. Nothing to do with the energy crisis, more the nature of the building which was unheatable. We just wore plenty of clothes... a house coat with a hood and scarf, 2 jumpers, 2 shirts, heavy trousers, 2 pairs of socks and fold back mittens. Never thought anything of it because I knew no better... until I left home and learnt how other people lived.

It would be win win as lots of libraries are closing due to people not using them anymore. More people in libraries would help keep them open.