Local gift shop open because "now selling veg boxes"

[CornflakeMum]

Not sure how I feel about this really. I completely understand that it's tough for independent retailers, but I think this is just taking the piss!

One of our local shops which normally sells cards, scarves, handmade type jewellery etc has proudly announced on Facebook that it is "supporting the local community by now offering veg boxes and eggs" from a local farmer. There is an accompanying picture of a small table with half a dozen boxes on it .
In the comments underneath someone has asked if they'll still be able to buy all the other stuff, to which they've replied "obviously we're focussing on supplying the local community with fresh produce, but yes, you will still be able to purchase other items in the shop."

There are at least three shops within 500m which already sell fresh veg (M&S food, a supermarket and a corner store) so surely this is taking the piss? Meanwhile two other similar gift shops remain closed.

I would support them - desperate times calls for desperate measures

No, I wasn't complaining - just using the discussion forum to, er, discuss whether my thoughts on this were the same as other peoples, which clearly they may not be.
I think it was probably something about the smugness and suggestion from this shop that they were "doing it for the good of the community" that I found irritating. It was all a bit "hey, look at us, we're so clever, getting around the regulations like this". If there were no grocery shops nearby that would be another thing completely.

@IcedPurple non essential shops are NOT allowed to open. This shop is a non essential shop. Starting to sell 'essentials' is a bend in the rules.
I would argue haircuts are not essential but if we are bending the rules then maybe they are?

There are rules. People should stick to them. It is not fair on the people sticking to the rules for others to bend them. Whether you agree with the rules or not!

Another vote for good.

If every shop on the high street just gets in a sack of spuds and says they are "serving the local community with fresh produce" then this virus is going to rumble on forever

Supermarkets have never closed and there have been few if any outbreaks associated with them. Schools and unis are still open so gift shops would hardly seem to be a major driven of infections by comparison.

Oh well, if your high street goes bust I guess you won't complain if the shops you like are no longer there next year?

I think a small shop is able to have a one in/one out policy etc. (my local very small shop only takes one person in at any time for example) while a barber has to be in close contact with their client indoors for over 15min.

non essential shops are NOT allowed to open. This shop is a non essential shop. Starting to sell 'essentials' is a bend in the rules.

Define 'non-essential' shops.

Another ‘good for them’ here - great to see businesses showing some initiative.

The irony of the support here but the condemnation of anyone else posting they may want to bend the rules. Mumsnet is so contrary!

@IcedPurple I don't need to define non essential shops. They are already defined under the rules!

[quote TheGoodEnoughWife]@IcedPurple I don't need to define non essential shops. They are already defined under the rules! [/quote]
Have you got a link?

They are having to change and adapt to how things are now.

@IcedPurple www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#businesses-and-venues

@IcedPurple shops which can remain open. It does not say 'gift shops'

[quote TheGoodEnoughWife]@IcedPurple www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#businesses-and-venues[/quote]
That's not an exhaustive list, and the shop the OP is so incensed about is now selling food, which obviously is considered essential. The government said that shops are allowed to sell any stock they have on the shelves - even if 'non-essential' - so the shop does not appear to be breaking any rules. If it bothers the OP that much, she can report them and see where that takes her.

I don't blame them! I've been able to keep my coffee shop open for takeaways only but have had to close my hand car wash, despite it being on the site of a garden centre that's open...how on earth people sitting inside their vehicle then paying contactless through the window is worse than someone entering my shop for a takeaway coffee I'll never know! I don't blame anyone for doing what they can to keep their livelihoods as long as it's not actually illegal

@IcedPurple the point the OP raised was whether a non essential shop should start selling 'essential' (I put the quotes as if there are shops nearby, including the actual farms selling the same stuff it is not essential for this shop to sell them also) was that okay or not? Not sure what point you are now following.

This is, in my opinion, an unacceptable bend of the rules. It is not fair on other non essential shops which are sticking to the rules and not fair on the general public who are also sticking to the rules.
Whether you agree with the lockdown or not (actually I don't) there are rules to abide by for EVERYONE.

@lanbro

I don't blame them! I've been able to keep my coffee shop open for takeaways only but have had to close my hand car wash, despite it being on the site of a garden centre that's open...how on earth people sitting inside their vehicle then paying contactless through the window is worse than someone entering my shop for a takeaway coffee I'll never know! I don't blame anyone for doing what they can to keep their livelihoods as long as it's not actually illegal

You get a lot of people on these threads (no doubt most of them in secure WFH jobs) breezily saying "Well, businesses are going to have to adapt or die!". Looks like this business has adapted. Good for them!

the point the OP raised was whether a non essential shop should start selling 'essential' (I put the quotes as if there are shops nearby, including the actual farms selling the same stuff it is not essential for this shop to sell them also) was that okay or not? Not sure what point you are now following.

I'm responding to the point you made about barbers. All barbers have to shut - no exceptions. Shops, however, are allowed to remain open provided they sell 'essential' goods. This shop is selling essential goods so does not appear to be breaking any laws. That's the difference.

Good for them.

I heard also that some gyms are considering conducting socially distanced mental health support groups where the attendees have a treadmill instead of a chair. Good for them, too.

@IcedPurple my comparison to the barbers was only in the fact that he is also a small business trying to keep his head above water and he felt, just like this shop owner most probably, that he can keep people safe.
Why does his small business not matter but a little shop owners business does?
People are suffering in this lockdown (which I have said I don't agree with) but why do some get to bend the rules? And approval for that when others are condemned?

I’m with the good for them crowd. If home bargains and M and S can do it then so should they. The gov could have easily followed Wales’ lead and banded the sale of non essential items.

@Tenyearsgone

Good for them. People need to keep their businesses going.

Yes this exactly.

Would love to know the financial situation of those people who are against them trying their best....the shop have found a loophole. Good for them!

People are suffering in this lockdown (which I have said I don't agree with) but why do some get to bend the rules?

If they are selling essential items they are not 'bending the rules'.