Why are coffee shops for takeaways open this lockdown?

od244051

I drive past a coffee shop which part of a chain on the way to work. Always a queue outside as inside probably limited to 2-3 customers. Coffee shops aren’t essential IMO. As it defeats the object of staying in your home when possible. Around the shop, there is a small supermarket, chemist and a couple of banks. The other retail units are either closed as non essential (card shop, barbers etc) or empty.

Why are coffee shops open? Everyone I discussed this says the same

Diamandis

Food places are allowed to be open for takeaway in general.

Mickey666

od244051 said:

I drive past a coffee shop which part of a chain on the way to work. Always a queue outside as inside probably limited to 2-3 customers. Coffee shops aren’t essential IMO. As it defeats the object of staying in your home when possible. Around the shop, there is a small supermarket, chemist and a couple of banks. The other retail units are either closed as non essential (card shop, barbers etc) or empty.

Why are coffee shops open? Everyone I discussed this says the same

Well, with respect, your opinion doesn't matter.  Within the current rules they are allowed to open so that's that.  Perhaps the rules will be tightened and they'll have to close, but meanwhile they are operating perfectly legally.

Besides, 'coffee shops' mostly sell often foods as well so what about all those key workers out there who need to grab a sandwich and a drink at lunchtime?   I seriously doubt there are many people making a special journey from their home solely for the purpose of getting a cup of coffee.

Grumpy_chap

Mickey666 said:

I seriously doubt there are many people making a special journey from their home solely for the purpose of getting a cup of coffee.

Well, actually, I do and judging by the level of trade I am not unusual (in that regard anyway).
I am working from home so get up, start work before it is light and don't finish until it is dark. 
I am allowed to do an exercise and I am allowed to take a lunch break.  So, I do a walk to the coffee shop and buy the meal-deal, then walk it back home to eat.  It gives my walk a purpose rather than just being an aimless wander.  It is good for my physical health and my mental wellbeing.  I also like the fact it is supporting the jobs of the people in the coffee shop.

That said, I do agree with the OP that coffee shops are not essential.  I think, though, they were allowed to be open in the first lockdown but there were many business that closed then that did not have to.  The messaging from the Government was far stronger and clearer in March than it is now.  I think tougher rules may not be far away.

Pennywise

We have a bacon bap/pie shop in our village.  The sheer number of tradesmens vans, builders, scaffolders, etc that turn up for their mid morning baps and lunches is incredible.  None of that is "essential".  They're just used to doing it.  They could easily make their own sandwiches like millions of other workers do.  The worse thing is that a lot of them don't even wear masks and congregate in large groups outside (not social distancing).  There's no way they're all exempt from masks due to health conditions!

[Deleted User]

Why do I go into a physical work place under both an old and new office employer in the last fortnight!? Ohhh cannot think why, We're not all sitting at home. Some are scared out of our wits at the animosity of a new work place. And that is before mention of medical conditions. Never gone sick in last 12 months but I hate the nightmares. Crikey I've just leant some one paid nearly 2k more at the old job to do part tme hours round the family is ok and they haven't been into a physical work place in same Fortnight..... Meanwhile moi without children doesn't have the same danger, apprently. My life not not valuable. ...not that I advertise having newly and not under control diabetes at the wrong time. Poor taste Od.

elsien

What’s that got to do with coffee shops?

In response to earlier posts, takeaway coffee/sandwich makes a bit more sense than the doughnut stand in the local shopping centre. 

[Deleted User]

I live in zone 2, south east London, and I was quite shocked when I saw the very long and social queue that stretched down the block by the coffee shop opposite a nearby train station.   Plenty more people inside, too.   This cafe was closed in the first lockdown so I don't think they should be open in this one.   It's not helping.

MattMattMattUK

There are lots of places that are far from essential that are still open. Schools are supposed to be for the children of "critical workers" and the vulnerable only, but depending on the area 30-60% of children are attending. People are supposed to be wearing masks, but a good 20%+ of people claim some made up exemption that means that they do not have to wear one, when there should be no exemptions. Exemptions for collective worship. Around 20% of those wearing masks are unable to wear them properly, tucking them under their nose. Food shopping is supposed to be a solitary activity, yet whole families (with two adults) are often seen in supermarkets. There is supposed to be no household mixing apart from support and childcare bubbles, but many households are still mixing regularly, both inside and outside. 

A takeaway coffee shop can operate just as safely as a takeaway food shop, if the latter is allowed to operate then so should the former, or they should both be closed. Also before we look increasing restrictions we need to tackle the failure to comply with the current restrictions. I would estimate around 20-30% of people are failing to comply with the existing restrictions, so imposing further restrictions on the 70-80% of those already in compliance does not make sense, deal with those who fail to follow the current rules first. 

Mrs_F_2017

I've had to go into work this week with no staff facilities open for a hot drink, only drinking water available. I took a flask and lunch in but it was nice to be able to buy a fresh hot coffee at lunchtime and without coffee shops being open it would have pretty miserable working through the cold afternoons. 

Not everyone has the luxury of being able to work from home.

od244051

MattMattMattUK said:

There are lots of places that are far from essential that are still open. Schools are supposed to be for the children of "critical workers" and the vulnerable only, but depending on the area 30-60% of children are attending. People are supposed to be wearing masks, but a good 20%+ of people claim some made up exemption that means that they do not have to wear one, when there should be no exemptions. Exemptions for collective worship. Around 20% of those wearing masks are unable to wear them properly, tucking them under their nose. Food shopping is supposed to be a solitary activity, yet whole families (with two adults) are often seen in supermarkets. There is supposed to be no household mixing apart from support and childcare bubbles, but many households are still mixing regularly, both inside and outside. 

A takeaway coffee shop can operate just as safely as a takeaway food shop, if the latter is allowed to operate then so should the former, or they should both be closed. Also before we look increasing restrictions we need to tackle the failure to comply with the current restrictions. I would estimate around 20-30% of people are failing to comply with the existing restrictions, so imposing further restrictions on the 70-80% of those already in compliance does not make sense, deal with those who fail to follow the current rules first. 

Don’t start me with whole households and friends shopping together. Understand single/widowed parents have no alternative or some disabled people can’t shop alone. This week have security have started to work at entrance to my work. People think they have “rights” to shop with their mates. What rights? You aren’t allowed to see them unless outside and exercising with one of them. Retail environment are not for socialising! If you have issues shopping alone, don’t go out shopping then!

Annoys me when the under 30s who refuse to wear masks say that they are exempt. Guessing 90-95% of these idiots aren’t exempt at all. Again, stay at home.