Why are coffee shops for takeaways open this lockdown?

Niv

I would say no takeaway food places are essential. Supermarkets are open so you can buy what you need to make your own coffee / lunch.
I would also say no places of worship are essential - isn't god meant to be everywhere? So cant you prey (or whatever religious people do in [places of worship) at home? There used to be a god channel on tv if you want to listen to someone chatting god (I don't know if its still around, not something I look for).

However, having said the above, the rules say they are allowed to operate so I have no issue with them deciding to work within the rules.

Just because a place is open, it doesn't mean you have to go to it. People also have to take responsibility for their actions.

Thrugelmir

Was Christmas Day essential?  Bending of the rules is now very apparent. 

Niv

Thrugelmir said:

Was Christmas Day essential?  Bending of the rules is now very apparent. 

I took the very hard decision to not visit any family during Christmas. It was a very odd festive period this year.

MACKEM99

The programme about Paddington Station a few weeks ago where it was just after the first lockdown had ended and the comment by a member of the Station staff said:

"... has just had his first coffee in 5 months"

Does he not own a kettle?

MattMattMattUK

Thrugelmir said:

Was Christmas Day essential?  Bending of the rules is now very apparent. 

The family gatherings, no, but then they were banned for around a third of the population who were in T4 anyway. 

Thrugelmir

MattMattMattUK said:

Thrugelmir said:

Was Christmas Day essential?  Bending of the rules is now very apparent. 

The family gatherings, no, but then they were banned for around a third of the population who were in T4 anyway. 

Banned doesn't mean that people actually took any notice of the request.  

Mickey666

Grumpy_chap said:

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.

So you're not "making a special journey from your home just for the purpose of getting a cup of coffee" then?

superbigal

Local Ice Cream specialist shop in the town I work in (Scotland) has managed to stay open as Ice Cream is evidently essential.
Clearly looks more crazy taking orders and payment on the Pavement which will be what happens from this weekend up here.

Andy_L

superbigal said:

Local Ice Cream specialist shop in the town I work in (Scotland) has managed to stay open as Ice Cream is evidently essential.
Clearly looks more crazy taking orders and payment on the Pavement which will be what happens from this weekend up here.

The legislation & guidance avoids using the word essential just to avoid such confusion/conclusions. It just says food retailers & takeaways can stay open without making a value judgment on their essentialness

Mickey666

Andy_L said:

superbigal said:

Local Ice Cream specialist shop in the town I work in (Scotland) has managed to stay open as Ice Cream is evidently essential.
Clearly looks more crazy taking orders and payment on the Pavement which will be what happens from this weekend up here.

The legislation & guidance avoids using the word essential just to avoid such confusion/conclusions. It just says food retailers & takeaways can stay open without making a value judgment on their essentialness

Exactly!  Can you imagine the time and effort involved in specifying every 'essential' item of food.  And even if government did do such a thing, there would still be widespread disagreement from the moaning masses.  What foods ARE essential anyway? Just the staples?  bread, fruit, milk, cereal, bit of meat, a few eggs . . . could easily argue that wartime rationing diet would qualify as 'essential' . . . indeed I've heard suggestions that the wartime diet was actually MORE healthy than most people eat today, particularly in respect of too many processed foods and too many calories!

Who was it who said "if you think you have the answers then you don't really understand the problems" ?