Do you think the likes of home bargains/b&m need to close?

[mammamia345]

I don't understand why they are open.
Keep the supermarkets open (obviously ) but the majority of people don't go in home bargains etc for food so just close them.
They don't need to be open.

Whilst people can go still into supermarkets just to purchase scratchcards and lottery no one should suggest Home Bargains and B&M should close. They were very busy during the last lockdown.

@Beachybeach

I would say that people should only be served if they’re buying essentials (and if they want to buy a diamanté photo frame let them).

But you’d just know that a wannabe Mrs Hinch will have a haul then buy a packet of biscuits as ‘they’re essential’.

There’s been enough time for the government to develop a ration type system to stop people from ‘popping’ to the supermarket every day.

I suppose I could limit myself to just one diamante photo frame and a packet of biscuits... But that might involve more "popping" if I needed more photo frames or biscuits.

I wonder why IKEA can't open? It's full of essential stuff.

I suppose IKEA could open its food section, like Fenwick has its foodhall open, but they'd have to move the bags of 100 tealights, just in case there's anyone who doesn't have one in their cupboards "just in case", yet.

Let’s shut all shops except Waitrose. Let’s cram millions into the one shop. That will help stop the spread of corona.

I think these shops should enforce the 'one person' rule more strictly. Our supermarkets all have a sign saying 'shop alone if you can.' Lots of older couples and entire families wandering around my local Home Bargains, most entirely unnecessarily I would imagine. Browsing the home decor. Yes, some may have mental health issues, others may have transport issues, but most do not need a family outing to Home bargains, which is what it is!

I still see so many people without masks on. Last time I shopped for food alone a whole family of 6 including 2 adults going around together and not one mask between them. Absolutely rediculous. They should be challenged. 5 should have waited outside shop and only 1 adult without mask allowed in. Supermarkets should take a stance.

I still see so many people without masks on

This must be dependent on area, as I'm in a big town and it's very rare you see anyone without a mask on.

Supermarkets should take a stance

Do you mean the customer service assistants should take a stance or do you think all supermarkets should employ security to enforce this?

As a supermarket employee I get enough hassle from having to refuse sales to inebriated people, to people without ID and just generally awkward people who come in to have a go. I'm not putting myself in the firing line for any more abuse.

I do agree everyone that can should be wearing masks, I wear one at work in both my jobs and also when I'm shopping.

Honestly I thought the whole cordoning off non essential aisles during the welsh lockdowns was ridiculous. As was some of the customers reactions. The poor staff. I think the supermarkets would be rammed if you close down everything else. Not busy at my tescos but they're re erecting the queuing system barriers. Better to spread custom around a little so it's easier to distance

They sell food, tinned, fresh, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, cereals, nuts. Plus cleaning products and ppe.
It’s outrageous to suggest they shut as you don’t use them.
I agree with other posters saying it’d make supermarkets busier.
They are a lifeline for those of us on low incomes.

They sell food, tinned, fresh, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, cereals, nuts. Plus cleaning products and ppe. It’s outrageous to suggest they shut as you don’t use them

Exactly, my local B and M is huge - big freezer aisle full of food, lots of frsh produce such as milk, cheese etc, and aisles dedicated to cereals, crisps, tinned food such as tuna, soups, rice, pasta, hot chocolate, tea, coffee etc.
Then there's the cleaning aisles too with washing powder, washing up liquid/dishwasher tablets, disinfectant such as Zoflora or whatever.
All pretty essential

@RoosterTheRoost

Let’s shut all shops except Waitrose. Let’s cram millions into the one shop. That will help stop the spread of corona.

😂

@Billie18

Will have more time for shopping as can't do much else so will try out all the essential shops in my area to make things more fun. I do have plentiful cushions but none of them are fluffy. I've never been to B&M Bargains I wonder if they might stock them?

Can you start a thread with tips on places that stock the like?

I would say that people should only be served if they’re buying essentials

What's essential? Do you have a list? First lockdown someone on mn told me bread and milk were not essential

Please no, I have one up the road, going there will be the highlight of my weeks now.

Yes definitely garden centres should close ! Around my way they have been teaming with the over 70s... who seem to show little regard for the virus.

Is your problem that you genuinely think garden centres are non essential or just think that over 70's shouldn't dare leave the house?

Oh and do you get as pissed off with teenagers who have been meeting up in large groups - or again, just old people daring to leave the house?

Do these shops not limit how many people can be inside at once? All the supermarkets round here do.

That's the obvious place to start, not policing what is or isn't an essential item. If you have to queue around the block in January temperatures to get in you'll soon get rid of the people just going to The Range for a day out. (I can confidently say that I am never, ever going to be that bored in my life.)

@gannett

Do these shops not limit how many people can be inside at once? All the supermarkets round here do.

That's the obvious place to start, not policing what is or isn't an essential item. If you have to queue around the block in January temperatures to get in you'll soon get rid of the people just going to The Range for a day out. (I can confidently say that I am never, ever going to be that bored in my life.)

Our Home Bargains has a traffic light system the same as Aldi so they are definitely on it WRT numbers.

Our Home Bargains has a traffic light system the same as Aldi so they are definitely on it WRT numbers

Good.

Strict numbers in the shop at any one time, strict enforcement of mask-wearing inside - if you have those then I'd rather have a shop in the grey essential/non-essential area open, if only to relieve the pressure on the supermarkets. Surely better to spread people around. If people truly want to freeze their tits off for half an hour outside just to have a mooch around, they can have at it.

What about elderly people who don't have Internet access and might not know how to make an order online if they did have it?

@gannett

Our Home Bargains has a traffic light system the same as Aldi so they are definitely on it WRT numbers

Good.

Strict numbers in the shop at any one time, strict enforcement of mask-wearing inside - if you have those then I'd rather have a shop in the grey essential/non-essential area open, if only to relieve the pressure on the supermarkets. Surely better to spread people around. If people truly want to freeze their tits off for half an hour outside just to have a mooch around, they can have at it.

I know it's not the same for all, but around here is really good for mask wearing/social distancing and limiting numbers into shops.

Waitrose have been great, cleaning the trolley handles as they go back and have a security guard managing the queue. Very safe when in store too, regular tannoy reminders about SD/mask wearing and shopping alone if at all possible.

I have to say mask-wearing is pretty good where I am too, and strict numbers in supermarkets makes SD easy.

The data also suggests that surface transmission is way less of a factor than aerosol/droplets transmission. I go into supermarkets with clean hands, am careful not to touch my face while I'm in there, and wash my hands when I get home, and I'm happy with that.

If people truly want to freeze their tits off for half an hour outside just to have a mooch around, they can have at it

I find it hard to believe that there are people who are that bored that they see going for a look round Home Bargains as an interesting way to pass the time, but if there are, they are just making the queues longer for people who need to go in there to do their food shop.

Hopefully if people aren't going in there for anything in particular that they need within the next day or two, they won't bother joining the queue and just do something else instead.