Builders shops/merchants - will they close?

[BackyardChickens]

Will these be closed down? Will builders still be able to collect materials needed to complete work?

Thanks

Er yes they'll be closed? How is a builders merchant classed as essential work FFS

I’m in Ohio in the US. They haven’t over here because builders, plumbers, electricians etc are allowed to do “essential” work. Every self-employed builder I know here is still working!

Of course they’re essential work. Leaking roofs, blocked drains, non functioning boilers, etc all need to be sorted out. How do you propose they do that without the tools?

Er yes they'll be closed? How is a builders merchant classed as essential work FFS

It was only a question, there’s no need to be snipey.

I should add that we are in legal lockdown. Just about everything is closed except grocery stores and chemists. My guess is that you have to still deal with blocked drains, no heating or hot water or repairs that absolutely have to be done.

We had our boiler fixrd today. My frienf is having her roof fixed at the moment. Its a flat roof that leaked and its only half done. They need a roof.

Hard ware stores can stay open so I assume that also means builders merchants - but who knows??

Of course they’re essential work. Leaking roofs, blocked drains, non functioning boilers, etc all need to be sorted out. How do you propose they do that without the tools?

That is a very good point.

Everywhere is still allowing online orders, so companies are keeping their warehouse staff on.id guess the builder merchants will go down to skeleton staff and arrange orders over the phone to be collected/delivered in a no contact handover to allow for essential repairs. But builders etc should really only be working on essential repairs and nothing else.

According to the sun tonight (no idea how reliable that is):

Brits will only be able to go to supermarkets, pharmacists, pet shops, hardware stores and newsagents in an unprecedented high street shutdown.

Banks and post offices will also stay open so the vital services they run can continue to be delivered.

Ridgeons have just closed - In order to protect our people and help limit the deadly spread of the COVID-19 virus, and following the Prime Minister’s speech on Monday evening, we have decided to temporarily close all Huws Gray, Ridgeons, ATC, RFP, Plumbstock, Qualplas and AC Roof Trusses branches with immediate effect.