How are non-essential shops opening on 29th March?

[TheLost]

Several shops in my town (in England) - a toy shop, a souvenir shop, a book shop and an interiors shop all have signs in the windows saying that they’ll be reopening 29th March. Everything I can find online suggests that non essential shops aren’t allowed to open until 12th April.

Have I missed something? All these shops are independent shops, does that make a difference at all?

I’m not suggesting that they shouldn’t open or anything, just wondering how they’re allowed to.

I too thought it was the 12th!

It is the 12th!

Definitely 12th April for 'non-essential' retail.

You are right and they shouldn't be opening on 29th March. The rules are very specific that non-essential retail should be closed until 12th April.

Maybe they're going to start selling some items which allow them to open under 'essential retail' rules? A few independent shops around my way are doing this, and good for them.

That’s what I thought - possibly selling milk/ bread/ papers or something to allow them to open? Good on them.

it's the 12th but I know some shops round here have been selling lots of jam etc to get around the rules! But I'm not aware of anything changing for businesses at all next week (running a business myself I obviously watch like a hawk)

It’s the 12th perhaps they are opening for Easter , I suspect the police will close them down .

islockdownoveryet they’re not doing it sneakily or anything though - they’ve all got big signs saying re-opening 29th March.

Wales has different dates - are you in Wales?

Some stores by me are the same but have specified for collection only. Could it be the same reason?

Even in wales Non essential can't open until April. If they are advertising it, it's risky as they will get fined and closed.

I work in non essential retail, we are click and collect until 12th April at the earliest.

@TheLost

islockdownoveryet they’re not doing it sneakily or anything though - they’ve all got big signs saying re-opening 29th March.

That may well be but they are will be shut down as it’s the 12th April in England.

A few shops around here have started selling essential goods in order to open sooner. Mainly things like fresh bread, donuts, jams, honey, coffee and drinks.

I was surprised to see a new sweet shop open in a town nearby last week. They purely sell sweets (nothing else at all) but that's food so counts as essential.

@KihoBebiluPute

You are right and they shouldn't be opening on 29th March. The rules are very specific that non-essential retail should be closed until 12th April.

Or if you're "lucky" enough to live in Scotland under Saint Nicola of Covid, you can wait another fortnight until at least the 26th April.

Good for them . Open everything up abd get on with life

Let them get on with it. The rules are crap.

Interesting - I'm a non-essential retailer and have it firmly fixed in my mind it's the 12th April. Unfortunately I can't add in "essential" items as it would look like a blatant piss take as I sell esoteric Gothy stuff and vintage clothes! Best of luck to those that try - hope it doesn't bite them in the proverbial!

No, in England so pretty sure it’s April 12th. I can’t see the police shutting them down, surely they’d have already told them not to open or take their signs down if they were planning on doing that.

Could they possibly be selling ice creams or easy takeaway food?

It's the 12th April www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518

@MistressoftheDarkSide

Interesting - I'm a non-essential retailer and have it firmly fixed in my mind it's the 12th April. Unfortunately I can't add in "essential" items as it would look like a blatant piss take as I sell esoteric Gothy stuff and vintage clothes! Best of luck to those that try - hope it doesn't bite them in the proverbial!

You could sell gothic jam.

Black currant?

You can't blame them. The two week Easter school holiday would usually be a busy time for them I imagine. From an infection point of view I can see why they've chosen to open nonessential shops after the Easter holidays but realistically we're just going to get families cramming into supermarkets with nowhere else to go. Nonessential shops should have been opened long ago, especially small independent shops, where they could limit numbers.

Also, some things deemed unessrntial start to become essential after a number of months. I need bras and some cookware, which I can't so easily order online, but I don't want to buy from a super market.

MistressoftheDarkSide do you do home deliveries? I’ve got 2 goth teen girls desperate for some new clothes...pm me 😊

I did wonder about jam. There’s a shop in town that only sells jam and chutneys and they’ve been able to remain open throughout. I can’t wait to see what essential items the bookshop will be selling to justify opening, newspapers maybe? Or maybe they’ve just bought a kettle so they can sell takeaway tea.

mistressofthedarkside does it matter if it looks like a piss take? If others are doing it then why not? You could sell black coffee.