Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Why is Ryman (and the like) still open?

41 replies

AreTheySerious · 20/12/2020 20:34

Name changed for this.

Why? Why are the likes of Ryman and WH Smith open in tier 4? I get that some places need to open but how can the owners of these stores justify putting so many lives at risk by forcing their workers in to work when the virus is growing and spreading so rapidly? Of course if they close this impacts on job security but right now I feel people’s lives are far more important.

From the BBC in regards to the new variant:

It is rapidly replacing other versions of the virus

It has mutations that affect part of the virus likely to be important

Some of those mutations have already been shown in the lab to increase the ability of the virus to infect cells

Stores such as these have found loopholes that allow them to open (services such as DHL which can be done online) and are using it as an excuse to flog all their usual wares whilst other businesses go under.

Yes yes the economy etc but surely...do the right thing and close...? Looking online these stores will even be open on Boxing Day. Have they no thought for their staff? Whilst the big bosses sit at home these individuals are forced on buses and trains to get to work and are exposed to hundreds of people per day...for what???

OP posts:
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 20/12/2020 20:36

Good to know.

I need some notebooks and new files.

tinytemper66 · 20/12/2020 20:36

Many WHSmith stores have post offices and they sell daily newspapers. I assume this is why.

AlwaysCheddar · 20/12/2020 20:37

Posting facilities?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 20/12/2020 20:37

Rymans do photocopying, that could be essential.

Freddiefox · 20/12/2020 20:37

WHSmith maybe because if the post office is in some of them.

Ryman’s, well to be honest I’m amazed they are still around.

Kazzyhoward · 20/12/2020 20:38

WHS is open because they sell newspapers which are deemed "essential".

Not sure about Ryman - perhaps they are also "essential" in that they sell supplies etc that essential businesses need to operate.

LIZS · 20/12/2020 20:39

Office supplies, photocopying, dhl hub?

BertieBotts · 20/12/2020 20:39

Work/school related products - classed as essential.

mineofuselessinformation · 20/12/2020 20:40

Because people actually need things like stationery and office supplies?
Many people are working from home.
(Lucky them - I can't.)
I did order some office supplies recently, but did make an online order because I'm not around to receive deliveries and can't get to shops.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 20/12/2020 20:40

Our Ryman is the courier drop off point for DHL. Probably quite essential if you can’t travel anymore and are trying to get presents to the right place for Christmas.

lughnasadh · 20/12/2020 20:44

The new varient is still vanishingly unlikely to kill you or cause long term problems. It's just more infectious.

I still have my Christmas shopping to do, so I'm glad those places are still open. Retail staff are not dropping like flies.

malmi · 20/12/2020 20:54

Yeah and if the NHS collapses with all the covid cases I'll just pay to go private if I need anything. I hardly use it anyway. We should just make our own decisions about what works best for us individually.

FedUpAtHomeTroels · 20/12/2020 21:14

Our WHS is the post office, only one in town.

DianaT1969 · 20/12/2020 21:39

WH Smith - because it's essential we buy small bottles of water for £1.60.

RelightMyPfizer · 20/12/2020 21:40

Post Office?
Parcel drop off?

Iwantacookie · 20/12/2020 21:40

Didnt realise ryman did photocopying and DHL still bewildered how they are in business though.

Leaannb · 20/12/2020 21:42

@malmi

Yeah and if the NHS collapses with all the covid cases I'll just pay to go private if I need anything. I hardly use it anyway. We should just make our own decisions about what works best for us individually.
If the NHS totally collapses you won't be able to afford private care
Fizbosshoes · 20/12/2020 21:44

I have seen both with post offices in them which I think would be essential.
I saw snappy snaps open during last lockdown.i didnt even know they still existed.i think I went in one about 15 years ago

Pipandmum · 20/12/2020 21:44

Off licenses are open too.
I'm not sure the value in closing individual shops- shopping mallard big department stores maybe (especiallyid they have an online presence), but the shops in our high street limit the amount inside anyway.

Somanysocks · 20/12/2020 21:45

To be fair to W H Smith there is usually only one member of staff in the whole shop anyway.

JamesMoriarty · 20/12/2020 21:46

Ryman was the only place I could get printer ink last lockdown.

joystir59 · 20/12/2020 21:47

I love Rymans. I was in there today buying tracing paper which I need for my job.

AlwaysLatte · 20/12/2020 21:50

Office supplies? Those are still necessary to businesses.
I was driving past my local garden centre today on my way to my Dad's and I was surprised to see the gates were open so I was able to nip on and collect the pre-ordered table decoration that I assumed wouldn't be available now (from my car). I'm not sure why they were open either - possibly for garden maintenance.

wanderings · 20/12/2020 21:56

This preachy and patronising thread belongs in the Coronavirus Quarantine topic, where all the other preaching-about-Covid-in-case-somebody-has-never-heard-of-it-and-absolutely-nothing-else-in-the-world-matters threads belong.

nosswith · 20/12/2020 22:14

I am surprised at Rymans. WH Smith sells newspapers and periodicals and so I expect it to be open.