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B&Q staying open

(34 Posts)
Washerwoman Tue 24-Mar-20 13:51:25

Ok I get that essential plumbing and electrical parts still need to be available but a friends relative works in B&Q and says it's been mental.Everyone buying paint,DIY materials,plants ,compost etc so they can crack on whilst at home.Stores absolutely packed.But really whilst I'm here st home sticking strictly not seeing our DGC who live around the corner even though they have been keeping apart as a family for days so have to wonder ?Don't get me wrong DH and I will stay home for as long as it takes but surely so many shoppers in theses stores isn't right.It isn't food.It isn't medicine.Surely it should be online only.Or has anyone heard that's what it's going to be.

M0nica Wed 25-Mar-20 09:42:20

Thankfully I live in a fairly law-abiding part of the country.

Taking cycling up as a form of exercise while in quarantine seems a very sensible idea. We have a lot of walkers and cyclers going past our house. Once a day it includes me.

notanan2 Tue 24-Mar-20 18:15:18

Nobody needs woodstain. angry

Its not just about you and your trip there and back. Its about the people leaving their families and putting themselves at risk so that emergency supplies are still available.

Woodstain! angry

notanan2 Tue 24-Mar-20 18:09:08

This week he needed wood stain, a tarp, and some brackets in order to carry on his project.

Unless his project involves getting you somewhere to cook or a toilet to flush, thats not a "need"

CanadianGran Tue 24-Mar-20 18:03:01

I would love to be able to do on-line orders for pick up only.
My DH is retired and constantly involved in a project. This week he needed wood stain, a tarp, and some brackets in order to carry on his project.

I went in his stead, use tap to pay so didn't touch anything at the till, and stayed a distance away from cashier. I wish I didn't have to , but he says this project was already underway. This is a tough one. If I had the choice to pick up and pre-pay I would.

notanan2 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:30:02

But there are people stuck with broken doors, cookers, toilets etc who do still need hardware stores.

notanan2 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:28:30

People ordering paint/wallpaper/garden stuff while THEY cosy up at home are incredibly selfish. Warehouse & delivery workers would like to be reducing THEIR social contact too you know.

notanan2 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:27:00

I believe in Italy DIY stores cancelled/stopped all decorative/garden orders to focus on essential DIY like plumbing supplies

Oopsadaisy3 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:24:56

Fortunately Hetty my family all live in isolated areas and are steering well clear of others, that’s what I meant by not being concerned, I was going to offer help to my immediate neighbours, but if they have plenty of family still popping in as usual then I won’t.
I have to protect my own, I was perfectly willing to help, assuming that they would be as careful as I am , but they aren’t.

Hetty58 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:20:43

oopsadaisy, I can't agree with your 'What everyone else does is of no concern to us now'.

I am hopping mad at those carrying on as normal. They are irresponsible and dangerous. Anyone posing a deadly threat to my family is my concern, my business.

Lockdown isn't working and we don't have enough police to enforce it. It's one big holiday around here!

Oopsadaisy3 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:10:26

Maw no you can’t , let’s hope their families aren’t going to B and Q first.

All of this information about staying at home and especially away from the elderly ( my neighbours are in their 80s) yet people are acting as if it’s a holiday.
We are just steering clear of people , the gate is closed!
Well except for the postman, delivery people and some chap delivering leaflets for houses for sale!

MawB Tue 24-Mar-20 17:04:30

I certainly don’t think we can leap to attack B&Q when you have this going on ???

I was feeling bad for not going over to my elderly neighbours , but I have Asthma, Sunday they had hordes of relatives in and out, so I think if they can’t do the right thing then I have to stay away from them

Nico97 Tue 24-Mar-20 17:02:46

Thanks Littleannie - have obviously misread it smile

Littleannie Tue 24-Mar-20 16:13:47

Nico97
As I understand it, they are just closing today to do some reorganizing of their stores, and will be open again tomorrow for essentials.

Nico97 Tue 24-Mar-20 15:06:29

Just read on their website that they are closing all stores today but will still be doing online orders and click and collect facility.

HAZBEEN Tue 24-Mar-20 15:05:07

My OH is a self employed builder so at the moment has very little work on. People either dont understandably want people at their houses or are worried about money so have called a halt on projects. He decided that at long last he would get on with our jobs so we stocked up on the needed materials before the lockdown. I am in the at risk group due to health although under 70 so I am glad he isnt havent to go out and about.

Washerwoman Tue 24-Mar-20 15:00:20

And I will order some compost and veg plants and seeds on line. From one of the smaller online retailers. Annoyingly I dropped something on out loo seat lid the other day and cracked it.But I'm not about to go out to shop for a new one.Our loo still functions and it can wait .I'm trying to tell myself the vast majority of people will be sensible with shopping just so we can all get back to some sort of normality sooner rather thsn later.

Littleannie Tue 24-Mar-20 15:00:10

Yesterday our ancient oven and microwave both packed up. Would you believe it! Anticipating the closure of shops, my husband dashed down to Currys and bought new. A good job he did, or we would have had no cooking facilities for goodness knows how long.

BBbevan Tue 24-Mar-20 14:35:30

We have just sent a big order to b&q. We aim to fence in a large oil tank and then build a gazebo. Well you can’t sit and twiddle your thumbs for the foreseeable future can you ?

gillybob Tue 24-Mar-20 14:28:47

B&Q need to stay open for DIY emergency items although I know they are restricting the amounts of customers at any one time. I can't see anyone going in to buy a new bathroom can you?

My oven blew up a few months ago and I bought a new one from B&Q off the shelf. Okay so its not marvellous but its doing the job.

Squiffy Tue 24-Mar-20 14:28:36

MissA Some people cycle to work so need bike shops for spare parts!

Washerwoman Tue 24-Mar-20 14:19:51

Yes I get the builders and plumbers need essential.But there are builders merchants and electrical wholesalers.But B and Q also sell a lot of other stuff I would say isn't essential at the moment.Hopefully they will reorganise and get a safer system rather than the Bank Holiday + type crowds friends DD had to cope with on the till

MissAdventure Tue 24-Mar-20 14:17:36

That makes sense, LittleAnnie.

tanith Tue 24-Mar-20 14:12:36

Sitting out In the sun I thought any minute now I'll hear greensleaves playing but no not one ice cream van so far assume they are also non essential ??

Littleannie Tue 24-Mar-20 14:08:52

People will always have plumbing and electrical emergencies. If the plumbers and electricians can't get supplies they can't come out. I think B and Q will stop selling new kitchens and bathrooms, things like that.

MissAdventure Tue 24-Mar-20 14:07:04

Bicycle shops are apparently allowed to stay open, in case someone decides to take up cycling during the lockdown.