Selling groceries to keep shop open during Shutdown

Niv

thepurplepixie said:

In my seaside town an ice cream shop continued all through lockdown, I think bread and milk would be more reasonable as a reason to remain open.

some may disagree 

thepurplepixie

Well true, my GD (3 years old) would say ice cream was a priority.  I did think a shop with just ice cream and sticks of rock managing to stay open was surprising.

Grumpy_chap

During first lock-down, the ice-cream vans near why I live were busier than anything.

I have to admit, the BBC Breakfast on Monday had an article of how devastating the second lockdown would be and they showed a young lady in tears because her ice-cream parlour at the sea-side would be forced to close and this would decimate it - she was all in tears and bleating that there was no way the business could ever recover from this month-long forced closure.  At the time, my thoughts were that they probably don't sell much ice cream in November, even if they may stay open, so could the BBC not have found a more relevant case to show the impact.

Judging by this thread, maybe ice-cream parlours at the English sea-side do a roaring trade throughout November?

MattMattMattUK

thepurplepixie said:

Well true, my GD (3 years old) would say ice cream was a priority.  I did think a shop with just ice cream and sticks of rock managing to stay open was surprising.

I would argue that ice cream is no less or more essential than alcohol, or indeed cake, crisps, sweets etc. That seems to be the problem with many of the definitions of "essential", as Drakeford has found out.

thepurplepixie

I think alcohol, cake, crisps, sweets etc are often sold in shops that stock other things.  The shop I was talking about sells ice cream and sticks of rock.

Duxidot

Help ! Does anybody knOw if I can remain open ?
i am a confectionery shop, selling sweets, chocolates,  snacks,  greetings cards stationery stamps etc

Thank you in advance

bradders1983

Duxidot said:

Help ! Does anybody knOw if I can remain open ?
i am a confectionery shop, selling sweets, chocolates,  snacks,  greetings cards stationery stamps etc

Thank you in advance

Were you allowed to stay open the first time? I suggest the answer is the same.

Duxidot

I only opened last month

bradders1983

You probably need to contact your local council for some clarity then.

greensalad

Grumpy_chap said:

During first lock-down, the ice-cream vans near why I live were busier than anything.

I have to admit, the BBC Breakfast on Monday had an article of how devastating the second lockdown would be and they showed a young lady in tears because her ice-cream parlour at the sea-side would be forced to close and this would decimate it - she was all in tears and bleating that there was no way the business could ever recover from this month-long forced closure.  At the time, my thoughts were that they probably don't sell much ice cream in November, even if they may stay open, so could the BBC not have found a more relevant case to show the impact.

Judging by this thread, maybe ice-cream parlours at the English sea-side do a roaring trade throughout November?

I'm guessing she probably didn't sell enough over the summer to bump up her winter profits.

However I've seen some very enterprising local businesses. Right now when people want comfort a lot are willing to spend money locally. The cute cafe in my hometown had queues all down the street because she started doing afternoon tea hampers for people to sit and eat on the rec in the summer. I know it doesn't work for everyone but hopefully some businesses can come up with ideas to keep selling.