Government advice discussion

[mmh]

Most hotels are not Travelodge. Indeed, the vast majority of hotels are actually franchises, and thus have a small business sat behind each actual property, same as most fast food outlets other than Maccy's which does have franchises but relatively few.

For instance there are no centrally owned Subway branches, they are all small business franchises.

For McDonald's it's about 50/50 franchised / centrally owned.

 

[Techniquest]

For McDonald's it's about 50/50 franchised / centrally owned.

Well that is something I didn't know. Subway, yes I knew that one runs on franchises, but McDonalds surprises me. Same with Travelodge to be fair, I assumed that was all owned/operated by one big place and didn't use a franchise system.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Well that is something I didn't know. Subway, yes I knew that one runs on franchises, but McDonalds surprises me. Same with Travelodge to be fair, I assumed that was all owned/operated by one big place and didn't use a franchise system.

Can't see why I'd want to, but:
https://www.pointfranchise.co.uk/travelodge-franchise-14451/

 

[trainophile]

My store is getting deliveries as often as possible. I think yesterday in the daytime we were getting 4 deliveries rather than 2, today there's extra coming in too. Quite, a chilled/produce delivery is meant to be getting off-loaded as I type.

Naturally, as one can imagine, it's not normal size deliveries yet, with the ultra-high demand, but with the limited resources available as much as possible is being delivered.

Now we've got a maximum of 3 per item, per customer, it *should* take the pressure off stock levels. As for your Co-op, if it's the one up on Ledbury Road, Holme Lacy Road or Whitecross Road (Bobblestock's one is a fair bit bigger IIRC - and no I don't expect you to reveal which is your nearest store don't worry) then those stores are generally too small to get pallets of stock. Usually it comes in on roll-cages, so it probably was 4 packs. Which was probably no more than 40 individual packets to sell, and that wouldn't last long in this current state of affairs.

In my store, and no doubt others, it's trying to get people in to keep shelves filled too. Not an easy task at present. It'll be easier soon!

Thanks for the very informative reply. I have no objection to revealing my location, it's the little one at Whitecross Roundabout so only a very small affair. In better times I could walk to the big one (used to be known as Leo's and still is by us locals!) but I hear they had empty shelves yesterday too. I think my OH will check it out tomorrow when he's out with the car. If I was feeling energetic I could walk down to the Tesco Express but that might prove fruitless too. Never mind, nothing is urgent currently, although we have a rolling shopping list and milk is coming to the top of it - all those extra cups of tea while sitting around at home!

 

[ChrisC]

I have a few days booked in a small independently owned hotel in Pickering, North Yorkshire, at the end of this month. I can cancel without losing any money because it was booked at a flexible rate.
I still have mixed feelings about whether I need to cancel or not although it’s looking more and more as if I should.

Points for going are that it is in a very rural area and I would probably spend the week out walking on the North Yorkshire Moors or discovering small villages and churches. I certainly would avoid going into Scarborough or York although perhaps I could have a walk along the beach in an uncrowded area.
I am travelling up by myself by car and not using public transport and I live in a rural area and have not mixed in large crowds in recent weeks. I could self isolate in my hotel room especially if they allocate me one of the rooms in the annex where I have a separate door to enter the hotel away the main entrance. Also by going I would be supporting this business at this difficult time by not cancelling.

Points against going are where do I eat. I have booked bed and breakfast but should I eat breakfast in the dining room although I suppose I could end up being the only person in the hotel! I could go to a small convenience store and get food to eat in my room. The biggest worries are if someone connected with the hotel developed the virus and I was put in quarantine there for 14 days. Also my mother is 85 and would I want to come into contact with her when I get back. However, the rural nature of North Yorkshire is perhaps even less of a worry than infection here at home in rural Nottinghamshire.

Lots to consider during the next week. Probably by then all hotels will be closed anyway.
I’m beginning to think my week in Penzance is not going to happen at the end of April or a week in Portsmouth at the end of June. All booked at cancellable rates so more a disappointment than a great loss.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks for the very informative reply. I have no objection to revealing my location, it's the little one at Whitecross Roundabout so only a very small affair. In better times I could walk to the big one (used to be known as Leo's and still is by us locals!) but I hear they had empty shelves yesterday too. I think my OH will check it out tomorrow when he's out with the car. If I was feeling energetic I could walk down to the Tesco Express but that might prove fruitless too. Never mind, nothing is urgent currently, although we have a rolling shopping list and milk is coming to the top of it - all those extra cups of tea while sitting around at home!

Leo's wow that is a name from the past! I know that Co-Op reasonably well, I'm not a regular in there though. Unsurprising given I work in one of the big shops south of the river! It is a fairly small Co-Op, yes, but the one on Ledbury Road (used that one frequently in summer 2018 when I briefly worked up that way) is smaller still. Does your Co-Op have a small hot food counter, like the one on Holme Lacy Road does? Not been in for a good while to check.

Tesco Express will no doubt get absolutely raided too, so you're probably sensible not wasting effort going there. The big shops are slowly catching up with milk deliveries, so it'll be worth checking with those if you can wait until tomorrow. However, with the severe uplift in online ordering, I would strongly suggest going early (before 8am) to avoid disappointment. Especially since said online order picking is now beginning at 4am...

 

[trainophile]

Hot food counter... no such luxury! They have a bakery stand with uncovered baguettes and stuff on it that don't really appeal to me.

Yes looks like another dawn raid will be in order tomorrow - pity as there's nothing much else to get up early for!

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I appreciate this may come across as a selfish question but, although I know we've been advised to avoid non-essential travel, do we really have to do so if we're not in a high risk group and don't show any symptoms of the virus?

Reason I ask is that I have a day out booked with TPE this saturday to go walking in a sparsely-populated area. AFAIK my booked trains will be running and, from what others have reported, passenger loadings will be so low I would be able to sit some distance away from anyone else travelling. Do I really have to cancel?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I appreciate this may come across as a selfish question but, although I know we've been advised to avoid non-essential travel, do we really have to do so if we're not in a high risk group and don't show any symptoms of the virus?

Reason I ask is that I have a day out booked with TPE this saturday to go walking in a sparsely-populated area. AFAIK my booked trains will be running and, from what others have reported, passenger loadings will be so low I would be able to sit some distance away from anyone else travelling. Do I really have to cancel?

No.

I have plans for non-work travel in the coming weeks and intend to do so

 

[mmh]

Another day of no massive difference in the pub here in Conwy. The roads seem slightly quieter, the tourists have all disappeared but I don't sense much self isolating or social distancing. Notable is I've had no traffic alerts for the A55 for two days now. You can set your clock by those every morning and afternoon usually. I won't be driving until Friday, it'll be interesting to see if there's a difference.

The thing which will have a huge impact has been announced here (and Scotland) today: schools closing. An announcement for England expected soon.

 

[robk23oxf]

I have a trip to Wales next week for leisure and I still intend to go. As long as people are sensible and practice good hygiene, some non-essential travel should be absolutely fine.

 

[Ivor]

Just come off shift at a fairly large station in South East, wow it was quiet!

The food outlets there & another station where I changed not accepting cash! Card only! They won’t handle cash re the virus

 

[trainophile]

Just come off shift at a fairly large station in South East, wow it was quiet!

The food outlets there & another station where I changed not accepting cash! Card only! They won’t handle cash re the virus

They just brought in washable banknotes in the nick of time then.

 

[Ivor]

Just received text from a friend to say all schools closing end of the school day on Friday!

Trying to find on line update.

 

[Darandio]

Just received text from a friend to say all schools closing end of the school day on Friday!

Trying to find on line update.

Kind of.

Parents who work for critical services needed during this time will still be able to send children to school. NHS, Police, delivery drivers etc. There are other conditions for those with special educational programs etc.

All others are required to stay at home.

 

[Ivor]

They just brought in washable banknotes in the nick of time then.

 

[Ivor]

Kind of.

Parents who work for critical services needed during this time will still be able to send children to school. NHS, Police, delivery drivers etc. There are other conditions for those with special educational programs etc.

All others are required to stay at home.

Ah ok, thanks! Boris apparently stated not to leave children with grandparents........my missus will be impressed (not)

 

[Bantamzen]

Just received text from a friend to say all schools closing end of the school day on Friday!

Trying to find on line update.

The BBC are covering it now:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51939591

 

[Ivor]

The BBC are covering it now:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-51939591

Thanks, was glad to be at work today so I wasn’t glued to the BEEB tv news, I need to take a step back I think as we are getting bombarded with updates every five minutes

 

[krus_aragon]

Kind of.

Parents who work for critical services needed during this time will still be able to send children to school. NHS, Police, delivery drivers etc. There are other conditions for those with special educational programs etc.

All others are required to stay at home.

That appears to be what's in the process of being announced for England. Closures were announced earlier today for Scotland and Wales.

In Wales, the schools are shutting for four weeks of Easter Holiday instead of two, for all pupils. Comments by the Education Secretary implied they were considering reopening after Easter for children of essential workers, but that's to be confirmed.

This is the notice I received (via our school) an hour ago:

Dear Parent,

You will by now have heard the announcement from Welsh Government that schools will be closing early for the Easter Break on Friday 20th March.

This means that the normal two week school holidays will start from that date in an effort to further control the spread of infection.

We have yet to receive guidance as to the situation after the Easter holidays, and this will be dependent on advice from UK governments/national strategy.

As soon as we receive information regarding the situation after this two week period, we will of course circulate this to all parents/carers.

We thank you for your support during these uncertain and anxious times, and hope that you and your families stay safe and well over the coming weeks.

Kind Regards,

Dr Lowri Brown

 

[dgl]

I work in the leisure industry so am experiencing it right on the frontline, even more so as a member of the core housekeeping staff.
As of today only the swimming pool, takeaway and shop are to remain open, the restaurant, arcade and entertainment venue/bar are to close. Another brand within the group is closed completely from Friday until mid April.

For now we should be alright, if we have staff off then we can use staff from closed parts of the park, plus we reckon that it will be quieter which will also help if we have less staff available.
As for if we did shut completely, for the moment at least, we will still get paid which is very reassuring.
Naturally I am s

till very much hoping that we do not close and are able to weather the worst of it.​

One slight bit of humor is that we won't be able to have a meeting to discuss what happening as it would be a "mass gathering" so it will have to be done via a newsletter.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Indeed, the vast majority of hotels are actually franchises, and thus have a small business sat behind each actual property, same as most fast food outlets other than Maccy's which does have franchises but relatively few.

Coffee shops too, a lot of Costa Coffee outlets are franchises. Starbucks too. It'll be interesting.

Meanwhile, over here the schools remain open and we have no confirmed cases of Flumageddon. But if you're coming onto/back to the island you have an automatic and mandatory 14-day self-isolation, the TT has been sacked off, and the panic-buying at Tesco is just getting stupid.

I imagine when Flumageddon does make it here, the effluence will truly hit the mobile air propulsion device. And whoever's brung it here and not self-isolated will be put in a Wicker Man.

PS My phone is determined that self-isolation should be self-immolation, which is one way of beating off Flumageddon I suppose.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Likewise, we have several trips that will now not take place, with no chance of getting any money back as we foolishly chose the cheapest non-refundable hotel rates to save a few quid, and of course Advance tickets which are our default choice as we couldn't afford so many trips at full ticket price.

The one I am most gutted about was to be our first stay in a Wetherspoons hotel, which we've promised ourselves ever since they started doing accommodation. They are not cheap - £95 per room per night, and we'd booked three nights in two rooms, as it was to be my sister-in-law's birthday treat.

Just have to put it down to rotten luck, and bear in mind that it might turn out to be the least of our worries .

Rebook your Advance as an off-peak return (fee free at the moment). Later on refund your off-peak (fee free at the moment). You'll have to pay in the short term. Alternatively wait until the train service is thinned and apply under the 'train cancelled - decided not to travel' rule - fee free always.

It would have been easier to just give free refunds on Advances.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I’m afraid with the best will in the world I find it hard to have sympathy for people who have chosen cheaper non-refundable rates. We nearly always pay for the flexible rates in order to work around the British weather, which over the years has cost us a lot more. For those losing money having chosen a cheaper rate, remember all the times when you took the gamble and it paid off...

Premier Inn and Travelodge allowing free transfers, up to 270 days ahead, now amendable on-line. You remain on the no-refund rate and pay any increase in rates.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

When I think of emergency food supplies I want in my cupboard, tinned mushrooms are low down the list!

I asked a fellow customer in Tesco today "are things bad enough yet to want to eat a Fray Bentos pie in a tin?" There were one of the few tinned goods remaining at 0930.

 

[edwin_m]

One slight bit of humor is that we won't be able to have a meeting to discuss what happening as it would be a "mass gathering" so it will have to be done via a newsletter.

We had a teleconference meeting today on the best way to run teleconferences, and I've just signed up for a training session on how to use Microsoft Teams, delivered via … Microsoft Teams.

I asked a fellow customer in Tesco today "are things bad enough yet to want to eat a Fray Bentos pie in a tin?" There were one of the few tinned goods remaining at 0930.

Does it taste any better if you get it out of the tin first?

 

[Baxenden Bank]

We had a teleconference meeting today on the best way to run teleconferences, and I've just signed up for a training session on how to use Microsoft Teams, delivered via … Microsoft Teams.

Does it taste any better if you get it out of the tin first?

I think the tin is probably the best part, you might beat any iron deficiency you have.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Again, no affected country has suffered power cuts. What's with buying tinned dross like that?

 

[yorksrob]

I can see why things are running low in the supermarkets.

I've gone from only eating one meal a day at home to three.

 

[josh-j]

No.

I have plans for non-work travel in the coming weeks and intend to do so

The rather substantial problem with this is that you can have the virus and transmit it to others while exhibiting no symptoms yourself. Some people never even get symptoms, but they can still spread it. As the proportion of people infected with the virus increases, there is ever more likelihood that you are a carrier and that you are spreading it to other people more vulnerable than yourself.

There's a reason they didn't say "if you feel fine just go out anyway" and I'd appreciate it if you didn't increase the risk of my more elderly loved ones dying. Cheers.