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Another day closer to when everything might go back to a semblance of 'normal.' The city has been a little more populated, the buses departing from the stands at QVB in this peak hour are carrying a handful of passengers instead of none at all. It's been interesting seeing public transport carry on as if nothing has happened...
People ringing the bookshop have more of an expectation that we will be open. As the restrictions lighten, it seems that some of the public think that everything is back to normal, that all the shops will be open for personal shoppers. We have managed to stay afloat with web and phone orders and skeleton staff, and it's actually been quite refreshing in a way not to have customers in the store, but we will be trialling opening to the public from next week. Asking them nicely, of course, to keep 1.5 metres apart, not come in if they feel unwell, and to sanitise their hands, please. Getting rather tired of the smell and feel of hand sanitiser liquid (and despite being told not to, it is rather interesting how many times you do touch your face and rub your eyes - not recommended when your hands are anointed by alcohol cleansers!)
Times were tough before Covid19 and they probably won't be that much better once shops are open again, but the bookshop is in a better position than the cafes, bars, restaurants that once fed and watered the crowds. The people might come back, but the worry is, will those services? How have they paid rent and utility bills on spaces that haven't earnt any money? Will they have the funds to start up all over again? Everything won't be back to normal. We just hope it might be.
People ringing the bookshop have more of an expectation that we will be open. As the restrictions lighten, it seems that some of the public think that everything is back to normal, that all the shops will be open for personal shoppers. We have managed to stay afloat with web and phone orders and skeleton staff, and it's actually been quite refreshing in a way not to have customers in the store, but we will be trialling opening to the public from next week. Asking them nicely, of course, to keep 1.5 metres apart, not come in if they feel unwell, and to sanitise their hands, please. Getting rather tired of the smell and feel of hand sanitiser liquid (and despite being told not to, it is rather interesting how many times you do touch your face and rub your eyes - not recommended when your hands are anointed by alcohol cleansers!)
Times were tough before Covid19 and they probably won't be that much better once shops are open again, but the bookshop is in a better position than the cafes, bars, restaurants that once fed and watered the crowds. The people might come back, but the worry is, will those services? How have they paid rent and utility bills on spaces that haven't earnt any money? Will they have the funds to start up all over again? Everything won't be back to normal. We just hope it might be.