Open Garden Centres
Open garden centres. As easy for them to manage people as supermarkets and mostly outside anyway.
Why the contribution is important
Gardening is good for mind and body, important at this time. Also, if centres cannot sell their plants at this time of year, many will never reopen.
by Colliewalker on May 05, 2020 at 02:54PM
Posted by Applecr0ss May 05, 2020 at 15:00
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Karinpaling May 05, 2020 at 15:00
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by DG May 05, 2020 at 15:01
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by June May 05, 2020 at 15:05
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by CarolConnell May 05, 2020 at 15:07
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by DrT May 05, 2020 at 15:09
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by yewtree May 05, 2020 at 15:10
Gardening is as important to health and sanity, if not more so, than putting up a shelf etc. particularly for the older population.
Allotments are allowed to open so supplies are required.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Firebird67 May 05, 2020 at 15:14
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by SconeBurns May 05, 2020 at 15:17
I think that, provided suitable social distancing is in place, and shopper number restrictions are in place, I believe it is something that should be allowed and could be possible.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Patsy50 May 05, 2020 at 15:17
It is a fav hobby amongst over 70s and will keep them sane during this lockdown. I would have not coped as well if I had not been able to go out to the garden especially at this time of year
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by annelindsaynicoll May 05, 2020 at 15:18
Although there are quite a number of people who seem unclear as to the direction of arrows!
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by LauraWright May 05, 2020 at 15:22
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by joemaceachen May 05, 2020 at 15:31
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by fisher May 05, 2020 at 15:34
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Gardenlover May 05, 2020 at 15:48
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Markxd May 05, 2020 at 16:06
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by AlexMD May 05, 2020 at 16:12
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by vRam May 05, 2020 at 16:25
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by bank65 May 05, 2020 at 17:07
No more of a risk than supermarkets.
Supports good mental health.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by deerhoundchris May 05, 2020 at 17:53
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Alasdrum May 05, 2020 at 18:02
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Lewis May 05, 2020 at 18:04
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by morningsidemusings May 05, 2020 at 19:18
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by mdinafala May 05, 2020 at 19:21
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by BruceE May 05, 2020 at 19:26
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by LAM May 05, 2020 at 21:41
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by lmjdear May 06, 2020 at 07:01
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by jrob May 06, 2020 at 15:16
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Gillon May 06, 2020 at 20:07
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Me May 06, 2020 at 20:26
Gardening might be good for people’s mental health but has anyone ever considered the mental health of the staff that work in these places
Would encourage all the day trippers
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Pecurb May 07, 2020 at 10:56
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by snapier May 07, 2020 at 11:06
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by irene108 May 07, 2020 at 11:28
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by BH850 May 07, 2020 at 12:21
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by DForr May 07, 2020 at 13:26
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by jnoble May 07, 2020 at 15:45
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Jharrison May 07, 2020 at 19:28
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by firehorse May 08, 2020 at 01:43
1) it is used as a tool in a lot of therapeutic setting dealing with mental health issues
2) people could produce some home grow fruit and veg, thus reducing their food cost
3) most garden centres have open spaces, normally with pathways, so social distancing can be easily introduced.
I would suggest that the internal shop/café remain closed for the time being, and a payment desk placed outside maybe under a gazebo.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Aud May 08, 2020 at 12:59
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Paul1953 May 08, 2020 at 13:53
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Chimp May 08, 2020 at 17:21
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by JojoA May 08, 2020 at 17:47
And garden centres can assure safe distancing in the same way other 'essential' shops can.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by HighlandLass May 08, 2020 at 18:10
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by acaringchap May 08, 2020 at 19:52
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by jeanm56 May 08, 2020 at 20:49
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Takingstock May 09, 2020 at 08:33
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by waxwing May 09, 2020 at 09:46
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by MORNINGSIDE1 May 09, 2020 at 13:41
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by conniel May 10, 2020 at 11:22
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by johnxsmith2019 May 10, 2020 at 13:33
Dobbies will survive, but all the private ones may never open again.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Scotswede May 10, 2020 at 23:52
- likely to be busy when first open, meaning lots of traffic on roads near them, which are often rural.
- there may be large outdoor areas, but cash registers typically in small indoor areas where social distancing will be harder to manage
- shops and cafes not conducive to social distancing
- not like supermarkets or B&Q at all, most garden centres don't have the square footage in store or the staff levels to manage crowds
- people treat garden centres as days out- this will effect ability to social distance, have kids running around with older people etc
-many garden centres more than just plant sales - how will this be controlled?
Simple solution though - allow garden centres and other hobby stores to open on an appointment or booking only basis - even then need to employ supermarket style social distancing rules should then apply (no large family visits, numbers in store, hand gel etc) This limits most of the dangers listed above and allows for managed test trading.
Many garden centres already operating click and collect - this should be strongly encouraged over opening.
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by MichelleH May 11, 2020 at 13:20
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by Bethany18 May 11, 2020 at 16:34
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by OliveBranch May 11, 2020 at 20:23
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)
Posted by ScotScott May 11, 2020 at 20:29
Anyway, Caulders has WAY more space outside and isn't that safer according to the science?
In fact, I'd say the garden centres have lots more reasons to open because they sell food and fruit and veg and pet food which Homebases don't.
I suspect this time next year lots of the wee garden centres will be gone, the lockdown will have finished them off. We'll have lost loads of friendly businesses run by a local families who are good employers. And the big homebase chains probably owned by a hedge fund will get twice as much business. How's that good for our local economy, what a disaster. I have a feeling this is how things will turn out - small local companies will never recover but huge international companies like amazon and big supermarket companies will thrive.
And how come the Range is allowed to be open? It's disappointing that it's the big superstores with shareholders who always come out on top at the expense of ordinary folk trying to run a business. Why is that?
Report this Comment (Requires Log In)