To be annoyed at non essential shops who are keeping their doors open?

[Mlou32]

Big stores such as Penneys (Primark), Brown Thomas and loads of other businesses big and small have all shut up shop for now in an attempt to help with social distancing. However the likes of Debenhams and other non essential types of shop are happily still trading. Of course I know folk have personal responsibility and we should be (and I certainly am) only going to the shops once a week on my own to do the groceries. Then coming straight home. And everyone should be adhering to this level of essential contact only. However the likes of department stores and other non essential shops continuing to trade is to me, the height of social irresponsibility. As I say, there is a level of personal responsibility that people should be taking however there is always going to be those who don't give a damn and do what they like. These shops being open just seem to be encouraging those who have no intention of adhering to government advice to come out and mingle in public. They are open so people will come.

Its actually really irking me. It's like they're putting profit above peoples health and safety.

I do understand the stark financial situation that many businesses are finding themselves under at present. I also know that the government hasn't explicitly ordered them to close. But can't they use common sense and regard for public health and just shut their doors?

Am I being unreasonable at being annoyed at these stores?

Trust me, nobody is going to die if my crew cannot deliver their sofa. The attitudes of customers this week, where we've lost whole routes due to drivers self isolation, has been awful. I've been screamed at about fucking furniture more times than I can count. And you can bet they'll be straight on social media complaining

Just because they are still open doesn’t mean people have to go in there.

All of the big pub cos have been petitioning the government to implement a compulsory closure. Until that happens, even the biggest nightlife companies in the UK can’t afford the consequences of choosing to close their doors and stop trading. In the meantime that means their staff go to work or lose their jobs, and in an industry where a large majority of staff live paycheck to paycheck that’s not really a choice in my opinion.

Would you be asking this question if this could lead to you personally being not paid, unable to pay your bills and not put food on the table?

@StarlightLady yes, I would. And I am. I am one of the people who isn't working and losing money. It's tough, really bloody tough. But it's for a reason.

@yousicktwistedfruit I've already stated numerous times that I'm more than aware that people have personal responsibility and that they should be acting responsibly. However that's not the point we're talking about.

@Stuckfornow "and in an industry where a large majority of staff live paycheck to paycheck that’s not really a choice in my opinion."

So the alternative of this disease spreading like wildfire because of non adherence to social distancing, and hundreds of people dying as a result is the preferred choice in your opinion?

20% contraction in the economy this year translates to what... dire public, social service and health services for 20 years to come?

I'm not sure it's a price worth paying for the 250k premature deaths saved.

I'm not sure that basic clothes shopping is non-essential - especially childrens' clothes! My 16 month old isn't going to stop growing, and to an extent neither is the 4 year old. People with babies might just need to size up to deal with increased use of cloth nappies too.

I'd also imagine that people working in essential services might end up washing things more often/with harsher detergents and therefore need to replace work clothes in the next couple of months.

Yes I am unlikely to need a new party dress but could well need more kids clothes (not using school uniform, plus summer weather might happen) and basics like jeans, black trousers or yoga pants as my current ones wear out!

Boris need to be tougher and tell them to shut! This is people livelihoods of course they'll stay open for as long as possible.
Didn't Boris say something along the lines of " we're not going to order closures but we suggest you don't use them"

How about non essential public services from local authorities that still have their libraries open.. gives out a message that this isn’t serious from a government body

To add DP's sales commission is as healthy as Christmas, people keep shopping, it is really busy selling electronics nothing life or death, the owner's won't close for goodwill

If these people are someone like me, they are suddenly thinking shit, I don;t have enough screens to deal with homeschooling, homeworking and general entertainment

They will be unable to claim on their business insurance unless forced to close.

As far as I know, most business insurances aren’t likely to pay out even if the government forces closure. The only thing staying open is really doing is extending the time they are going to be forced to close for and putting more people’s lives at risk.

I agree OP. If people need non essentials like clothes or furniture or if they need extra screens for the kids, all of this can be bought online. Every day these shops stay open is going to cost lives.

Half the country is being selfish, half are being kind

If Debenhams close, they will never reopen as they have so many financial issues anyway. Under current insolvency rules the day the management know they cannot trade , they must not pay any creditors as the distribution of remaining assets (including cash) is part of the insolvency process . This includes the next payroll. Workers can then apply to the insolvency service for the money owed (there are weekly limits) . It will take weeks (or months) to process. For many businesses in this situation the most socially responsible thing to do is to "discover" they cannot continue the day after payday so at least people will not have worked for nothing

YANBU.

I had an essential hospital appointment I had to go to yesterday (anti d injection, I'm currently signed off work as in the vulnerable group due to being pregnant and was working in food retail so couldn't socially distance) and the amount of people out and about in my town was absolutely horrendous.

All women. Some with their kids going to the bloody barbers or on scooters. Loads of elderly out with no shopping bags. Groups of them standing having a chin wag in the street right beside each other.

Now, I understand people need out for their MH to go a walk, and they need to get food and supplies in. But most of them had no bags and were just milling around.

It's frustrating me now, to be honest. My partner works in retail management and he's putting himself at risk every single day and people can't even have the decency to only come out for essential reasons and keep distance.

Makes me wonder whether some people should just be signing a waiver- ie, admitting and accepting they aren't going to adhere to the rules and so if they get sick and require a bed, they won't get one because they did it to themselves.

But, until then, yes, we need to close all non essential shops at least 6 days a week. One day opening a week would suffice for those who can't online shop or need an in store service. Or even keep them open but severely cut opening hours, like 10 to 12.

People are not going to stay home if they can still get on with their bloody mundane routines . I despair.

It's really difficult.

I just left my retail job in January - non-essential. If they close up shop I very much doubt they'll ever open again. They can't afford to lose that much trade.

It's not as easy as "just close - you're being selfish". They employ thousands of people up and down the country and they're not the only business in that position. If they close they're essentially putting every single one of those people out of a job.

The only thing staying open is really doing is extending the time they are going to be forced to close for and putting more people’s lives at risk.

That's not true though, because as long as they're open they can pay their staff. If they're forced to close they can't do that as they won't be making enough money.

Most retail staff are on minimum wage and won't have savings to fall back on. They need to get paid to be able to pay their rent and bills and to buy food. The longer they stay open, the more money their employees make.

For most businesses, if they shut up shop now they will never open again. That's it - gone.

I guess a lot of them are literally on the brink of bankruptcy. It is probably a case of stay open to keep employees in a job for as long as possible. There will come a point when they go under. Staff will be laid off. No redundancy, as no funds to pay it. No chance of opening up again. Another dead space on the high street. Another loss of taxes to the exchequer. Another set of people looking for financial support from the government. But that's ok, because you'll be happy.

I personally think the shut down has gone too far now.

Remember it’s not just what you see in shops: there’s a huge backend operation supporting those shops, stock that is coming and needs to be paid for, third party contracts that still have to be honoured.

A PP makes an excellent point too about the timing of a closure for insolvency purposes.

There are far-reaching economic concerns that interplay with public health concerns and they could be just as serious.

Until they are told, why should they shut? Either the country shuts or it doesn’t.

That’s going to happen anyway adaline. I’d be surprised if it didn’t happen in about 7-10days given the current exponential growth rate. It will possibly happen earlier.

And the longer the shutdown the more businesses are at risk.

I personally think the shut down has gone too far now.

The shutdown hasn’t started yet. Let alone gone too far.

@RafalsTheKingOfClay oh I know - but I can see why people are trying to put it off for as long as possible. Then they can blame Boris and the government for their business going other!

It's really not easy. I actually think it's a very privileged position to be able to sit there and tell people to shut their businesses like that. So many businesses will be gone for good as a result of this - Mountain Warehouse were on TV a few days ago saying they probably can't survive this - no wonder they're staying open as long as they possibly can - they employ thousands of staff!