Why is Ryman (and the like) still open?

[AreTheySerious]

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???

Buying stationery is a pretty reassuring activity tbh

Ryman has Western Union facilities so can stay open due to that reason.

Plus, I'd be screwed for my coursework if I weren't able to get stuff from there for it.

@AreTheySerious

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???

Also, I'm pretty sure these stores are more safer for their workers than warehouses where you probably order your items as well 😂

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

Yes - and the queue for the post office is usually snaking half a mile down the road in the open air.

Stationery is essential I couldn’t do my job without printer paper, ink etc. To be fair I order in bulk on line but not everyone does.

To support businesses obviously.

It’s not ‘yes yes the economy’ OP - we have to walk a delicate tightrope between not overwhelming the NHS and not crashing the country economically for years to come - our health depends on that in all sorts of ways.

And businesses depend on stationary.

My local Rymans does not have Western Union but if many do, I can understand why they are open.

@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.

Many private hospitals in UK do not offer icu or critical care facilities.

Because what would the world be without a random, very complex chocolate offer at the till point?

It’s not shopping for me unless I’m offered a family sized bar of Daily Milk for 50p if I buy a copy of Smash Hits and Cereal Bar on the third Tuesday of the month.

They're opening as newsagents; personally I think Stationery and Electronics are important enough for businesses that they should be allowed to open, but they aren't in the rules.

Post, greetings cards, wrap, stationary for working from home

It is morally imperative that businesses must shut down when the printer ink and biros run out.

It’s not shopping for me unless I’m offered a family sized bar of Daily Milk for 50p if I buy a copy of Smash Hits and Cereal Bar on the third Tuesday of the month.

🤣🤣
I used to love Smash Hits. Does it still exist?

Elephant whale rabbit thankyou I needed a good laugh :)

As an employee that works in Ryman’s? I’ll tell you this much. It’s scary. Especially with the new versions of the virus that spreads faster. 50% of people that walk through the doors in my shop do not wear masks. We unfortunately cannot police them and tell them to do so. Sure, some are exempt but others are simply just ignorant.

The reason we have been open were because we provide DHL and Western Union services. I understand that those to some might be essential but I’m sure there are ways to work around doing those without the store being open. We risk our lives daily just sometimes but people to come in and buy stationary that can be bought online. I don’t feel safe and it doesn’t help that we have so many people just coming in for the most basic things and also not being safe.

shocking isn't it!?

all this 'essential' crap....b&m,the range and home bargains....all still open

they do not care about employees and the masks are pointless if so many don't bother to wear them and then half that do don't wear them properly and pull them down!