Allow garden centres to open urgently

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Why the contribution is important

Gardens are essential at the moment for both mental and physical well being. They ease loneliness in all age groups from children to elderly. We can't buy the things We need at the moment to nurture them There are only 3 or 4 in Edinburgh. It wouldnt be difficult

by Julietbravo on May 05, 2020 at 01:24PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.5
Based on: 98 votes

Comments

  • Posted by gamebird33 May 05, 2020 at 13:27

    Yes please, gardening has been my sanity and I need supplies for growing my own food.

  • Posted by Baker1980 May 05, 2020 at 13:31

    If places like b and q and wickes can open and manage social distancing I don't see how garden centres can not do the same this would also help protect all those nurseries who supply the garden centres

  • Posted by Switchqueen May 05, 2020 at 13:31

    If staff and customers can stay safe, these are largely outdoor and gardens are helping people stay home.

  • Posted by Pandora5box May 05, 2020 at 13:32

    I totally agree with guidelines

  • Posted by Fiona May 05, 2020 at 13:33

    Many people have been using gardening as exercise and therapy to reduce the boredom of being at home however we are limited with no access to compost and plants

  • Posted by NormanCoburn May 05, 2020 at 13:33

    Yes, very important, as long as people do not drive long distances. Garden centres are well laid out to establish one way systems and maintain social distancing.

  • Posted by Grandma May 05, 2020 at 13:34

    As quickly as possible where social distancing and one way systems can be put in place, especially outdoor sections.

  • Posted by Binnes May 05, 2020 at 13:36

    Allow independent garden centres to open as a matter of urgency. This provides those in lockdown to work in their garden, the seasonal nature of the products is now - miss this and it will be devastating for the smaller businesses. Social distancing at the stores can be controlled in a manner similar if not better than a shop at local supermarket.

  • Posted by Clayton41 May 05, 2020 at 13:36

    Yes

  • Posted by ElsieC64 May 05, 2020 at 13:36

    There is an inconsistency when large retail stores with a gardening department can open and smaller garden centres whose only source of income is selling plants and shrubs cannot open. It should be perfectly possible to implement social distancing in these outdoor environments. Rather easier than in a supermarket setting! They need this to happen soon to ensure they get the seasonal revenue which is highest from May onwards

  • Posted by AliH68 May 05, 2020 at 13:43

    Agree all garden centres large and small, should reopen as soon as possible, as long as social distancing is maintained in line with supermarkets, DIY stores etc. Gardening is proving of real benefit to people and this time of year is crucial for garden centres and their suppliers. Some are managing to keep going via online sales and deliveries, but its no substitute for being open. Don't wait until its too late!

  • Posted by Fifer72 May 05, 2020 at 13:50

    Why not? Maintain social distancing and it is safe. We don't need to approach this as a black and white issue, if you're vulnerable then you should shield yourself, if you're not vulnerable the statistical chance of coming a cropper from the virus is so small as to be insignificant. You've more chance of being crushed by a falling apidistra.

  • Posted by rhudiepup May 05, 2020 at 13:50

    Yes, if customers can be safe and social distancing is adhered too, then let them open. As most local garden centers are small business owners, it is vital that they be given the opportunity to operate. If B&Q are 'allowed' to open, then ease restrictions on other garden centers and nurseries. Gardening is good for mental well-being, exercise and fresh air!

  • Posted by raylow May 05, 2020 at 13:51

    Definitely needs to be considered very soon. It is unfair that large Chains can open DIY stores and sell plants but individual Garden Centres have the stress of managing orders on the phone to be delivered personally.

  • Posted by AlbaOwl May 05, 2020 at 13:56

    Yes, as soon as possible. Can't see why this would be difficult to manage.

  • Posted by ABDX14 May 05, 2020 at 13:56

    Yes but for garden produce only - not cafes, childrens play areas or gift shopping areas. Social distancing must be assured.

  • Posted by miketrevett May 05, 2020 at 13:57

    I agree with much of the above, DIY stores can sell plants and compost etc allow garden centres to do the same. However keep the centre cafes and gift shops closed

  • Posted by Felvus May 05, 2020 at 14:16

    Gardening is increasingly recognised as therapeutic. If supermarkets can still operate, why not garden centres and plant nurseries?

  • Posted by Flopster May 05, 2020 at 14:19

    There is little difference between a garden centre and a supermarket in terms of layout and space, and garden centres have the advantage of being at least partially outside. Gardening is established as good for mental and physical wellbeing.

  • Posted by Hmartin578 May 05, 2020 at 14:41

    Yes but only for garden supplies and if not make B and Q and Morrisons etc close their areas Totally unfair at the moment

  • Posted by Ayrshire92 May 05, 2020 at 18:23

    Totally agree that it is unfair to allow the likes of B+Q to sell plants and gardening supplies while garden centres remain closed. Apart from the commercial advantage they have, the DIY stores are generally more expensive. Providing physical distancing can be managed in garden centres as it is in supermarkets, there is absolutely no reason why they should not be allowed to open. I feel sorry for the nurseries that are having to throw away their produce because the garden centres are closed. The government is losing tax revenue (VAT) and people are losing their jobs and possibly their businesses. Come on Nicola, let's have a level playing field and let garden centres open.

  • Posted by LAM May 05, 2020 at 21:44

    Yes, yes, yes! My garden keeps me sane and is the only material exercise I get due to health

  • Posted by AnnaKucharska May 06, 2020 at 10:44

    Why on earth not? Much safer and healthier than any supermarket!

  • Posted by MandyB May 06, 2020 at 13:29

    There is a huge demand for garden centres to re-open. We run 8 garden centres in Scotland and we receive 100s of calls everyday asking if we are opening. Each council has a different interpretation on deliveries and click and collect - so that makes it difficult to operate any of these in the different areas. We open our website on a Saturday at noon to allow people to order deliveries for the next week and we have to close it the next day because we have over 1000 requests (a van can usually do 25 of these in a day! Garden centre owners have always operated sensibly, we agree coffee shops within cannot be open just now but garden centres certainly could and should. It is completely unfair that the likes of B&Q can and that supermarkets have increased their garden selections because there is such demand and yet the people who have worked for years to create this demand by building up these garden centres are the ones being punished! Please open garden centres as soon as possible

  • Posted by macphek May 06, 2020 at 13:43

    Gardens are important spaces, so help keep our Garden centres in business, please !

  • Posted by Me May 06, 2020 at 20:32

    Keep them closed Vast majority of garden centres sell clothing ,gifts etc Would just encourage people to come to get out of the house so encouraging non essential travel Click and collect or delivery is a better option Don’t forget about the poor staffs mental health and safety in these places

  • Posted by Abdnshiremum May 07, 2020 at 07:41

    Open garden centres for plants and gardening (could ask them nicely to close off cafes and gifts and I’m sure they would). Let’s face it, we’re likely in this for a long time and things that encourage people outside in the garden while social distancing are really needed.

  • Posted by mags14 May 07, 2020 at 10:15

    I agree that garden centres should reopen whilst maintaining social distancing etc. They are open air, so less risky than a shop. In South Lanarkshire they are are vital part of the local economy

  • Posted by NKTC May 07, 2020 at 11:51

    Agree, with social distancing, safety measures in place for staff and requirements to travel to your nearest garden centre only (to avoid non-essential travel, risk of RTA and spreading infection outwith local area).

  • Posted by jnoble May 07, 2020 at 15:46

    I see B and Q and Sainsburys selling plants and yet our third generation local nursery business which is mostly open air displays is not to open. This is a vital time of year for their business with hundreds of thousands of pounds at stake and people crying out for bedding plants which will maybe have to be destroyed. This is probably the single most nonsensical aspect of the whole lockdown.

  • Posted by Wulan19 May 08, 2020 at 14:46

    Doesn't seem like a priority to me, but I am don't have the luxury of a garden. Maybe be thankful for what you've got rather than seeking reasons to bet out and about.
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