Forum Topic

Chiswick shops - who is open for what?

There's now a list on the home page with information about who is open for what. There are already several to add, and one to remove, and we'll keep it up to date (thanks to the hard work, too, of the editor). Let me know of others - I've contacted all the independents I'm in touch with but they haven't all responded; this is a work in progress but the message is: CHISWICK IS OPEN!   Our local independents are working so hard to adapt to these extraordinary times. Please do support them - social distancing rules allowing, of course. http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=coronachiswickshopping001.htmJo and theChiswick Shops Task Forcejoanna.biddolph@hounslow.gov.uk

Joanna Biddolph ● 2419d60 Comments

What an earth are you playing at?It is totally irresponsible and immoral to be encouraging people to go shopping at this time.This is not plucky British defiance against a threatening enemy - this is a killer virus that you get from touching people or things people have touched or getting close to people.Our government (which I assume you support) has been at pains to stress the importance of reducing social contact to the minimum. We are all supposed to be self isolating. The only important things we should do are get food and medicine. Maybe a walk in the park.Take-away coffee - ice cream - or pin ball are not necessities. These are activities which increase risk of contact and passing the virus on and which end up killing more people.We all have every sympathy for the retailer - that's why the government has put up £billions to support them through this. And no doubt will do more. Boris and Rishi keep saying "whatever it takes" - don't you trust them?UK is already trending faster growth on the virus than Italy. Please read the reports and studies. If we don't slow it we are likely to have hundreds of thousands of deaths because the NHS won't be able to treat us - again look at Italy.Please focus on shops selling necessities. This is not the time to rejuvinate the high street.

Richard Potts ● 2419d

Its a debate becasue while the gvmt says one thing shops want to keep buisness running for jobs and stay in buisness.Seems to me that many people of all ages are out and about if in reduced numbers.Not that im keen to go shopping for fun or boredam as i kind of hate shopping,but im certainly not going to stay inside unless its total lockdown that is for sure.

Julian Pavey ● 2419d

Is Boots closed for the foreseeable ?

David Grantley ● 2419d

The information re Chief Coffee is incorrect and out of date.We closed yesterday at 4.30pm which we announced on social media on Friday lunchtime, and will be closed for the foreseeable future.Stay safe everyone.SamChief Coffee

Sam McCourt ● 2419d

RP: "What an earth are you playing at?It is totally irresponsible and immoral to be encouraging people to go shopping at this time."Anyone who is thinking of popping out for anything other than an essential reason really should listen to this Nolan Show interview with an NHS Intensive Care Consultant - sobering stuff indeed:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0877mb2

Richard Cathcart ● 2419d

Hi Richard, completely agree with you.  In fact I believe this story should be removed.As stated in my other post, we closed on Friday at 4.30pmSamChief Coffee

Sam McCourt ● 2419d

We at Chiswick Lighting have also decided to close the shop door. We are answering calls and emails and will deliver locally if we are able and it is safe to do so.

Penny Ledbury ● 2419d

Chiswick is NOT open. Guidance was very clear - food and medicine only. Exercise in the fresh air at safe distance from everyone else. While I have every sympathy with local businesses, for Cllr Biddolph to be encouraging people to mingle for beauty treatments, pinball or interior design advice is incredibly irresponsible. The NHS (including my husband and his colleagues) is preparing for a tsunami of seriously ill people, many of whom have ignored very clear guidance from health professionals and government.We could do with some local leadership - trying to save local businesses at the cost of local lives and those of our health workers is absolutely not what is needed at this point.

Karen Liebreich ● 2419d

No Just no. This is totally irresponsible. Think about how our front-line health workers are going to feel about Councillors using local media to encourage more shopping at the moment. Please just stop and think about what you are doing.

Paul Campbell ● 2419d

NHS staff have begged jus to stay home and isolate, its our patriotic duty to do so and support them.Please ignore the Cllr and do not go out, social distancing in public shopping spaces should be only for urgent items.  By all means support shops through online shopping or deliveries otherwise stay home, its your duty.

Matthew Swain ● 2419d

Well said Karen. This website should act responsibly and delete the story

Sam McCourt ● 2419d

Talk about mixed messages! Unpalatable as it is, the only way people will stay at home is if there's nowhere more appealing for them to go.  So 'Chiswick is Open!' is hardly compatible with 'Don't go Out!' The virus hotspot of deaths in London must mean that, collectively, we're just not doing the right thing and should stop making excuses.

Peter Evans ● 2419d

Are you insane? Are you not listening to advice from Government and Experts? You are putting the lives not only of the public at risk but those of our medical service personnel. People like my sister who is mother to 3 young boys and a hospital consultant or how about my best friend who is also a mother of 3 young boys and a children's ICU consultant.Do you seriously think some interior design fripperies are worth their lives?Selfish, selfish, selfish! Yes I am hopping mad and disgusted at this  advice. This isn't some British Bulldog spirit post Blitz 'Keep Calm and Carry On- situation - this is a deadly crisis.Do not go out unless you have to and stop f**ki** stockpiling you greedy hogs!

Shelagh Lafferty ● 2419d

Shelagh - spot on!My cousin has the virus. He’s a school teacher. His wife who is a nurse practitioner at a GP is now unable to do her vital job and is trying to juggle 3 young children on her own at home, whilst self isolating. STOP BEING SELFISH AND STAY AT HOME

Georgina Flint ● 2419d

Ken Munn ● 2419d

Sam & PennyThank you for your clarifications and common sense in closing at this time.I know it must be really painful financially for you at this time. Hopefully what the government is offering will help.You're right W4 should pull this misleading and dangerous article.

Richard Potts ● 2419d

Thank you Georgina. I cried when I read this and the 'celebrations' that the Farmers Market is open tomorrow.I could lose my sister, brother-in-law, my best friend her husband, my sister-in-law and her husband. All doctors working to save lives every dayThat's the reality folks - and the 8 children they have between them could lose a parent.I beg you to stay in - would you go.out if it was your family?

Shelagh Lafferty ● 2419d

Incredibly misguided to be promoting any 'shopping' event.I have incredible sympathy for all the suppliers to the farmers market and the loss to their livelihood, but loss of life is more relevant surely.Chiswick like anywhere else should be CLOSED to anything other than necessary shopping and frankly that doesn't include much of what Joanna is promoting.

Tessa Russell ● 2419d

If keeping a business open while taking every precaution such as social distancing presents an unacceptable risk then the government should mandatorily close them and come up with measures to underwrite lost income and cover costs such as rent and rates.If they don't then you are asking independent business owners to choose between continuing to trade and personal bankruptcy. They still have rent and in most cases rates to pay which in Chiswick have made most marginal even in normal trading conditions. As for the farmers market, anything which encourages people not to shop in supermarkets, which must now be the main reasons the infection is spreading, has got to be a good thing. Talk to any virologist and they will tell you that confined conditions are much better for the spread of disease than the open air.

Dan Evans ● 2419d

"If they don't then you are asking independent business owners to choose between continuing to trade and personal bankruptcy. " - no, you half-wit. the choice is between profit and killing people.

Paul Barnett ● 2419d

ok - yes, profit -> loss of proffit

Paul Barnett ● 2419d

Paul Barnett, please don't be so rude to other members of this forum particularly when they have made a perfectly reasonable point which you haven't fully understood.If shops being open kills people then the government should make their closure compulsory. At this stage it may well be that we have more deaths from small business owners taking their own life due to financial ruin than die as a result of someone visiting their premises.These people are effectively self employed and you need to be aware how difficult it is for someone of that status to get access to state benefits should their business close. Many are already in the situation where they won't be able to cover rent, rates VAT bills and are just continuing to trade to get cash for basis essentials for your family.

Anita Blake ● 2419d

AnitaWell said !

Loraine Pemberton ● 2419d

Well, put Anita. Strident views about not going out are quickly being adopted by virtue signallers everywhere to demonstrate how much better they are than everyone else. As someone caring for an isolated relative over 80 I am well aware of the need for people to stay inside as much as possible and I'm not going to go out to buy a non-essential items. However, what is non-essential is difficult to define and as far as I can tell from government advice entering a non-crowded shop which has taken appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of infection presents minimal extra risk. We need to have a sense of proportion here — if someone needs to keep their shop open to put food on their table then we have to accept that decision. It bears repeating, it is down to the government to decide that the risk this would present is unacceptable.

Andrew OSullivan ● 2419d

"Patriotic duty"? Good lord. We're not in Soviet Russia/Nazi Germany afaik.

Mike Firth ● 2419d

" It bears repeating, it is down to the government to decide that the risk this would present is unacceptable."No. Evaluate the risk yourself and make your own decisions. As fas as I can see, except in China, S Korea and Singapore, governments have been proven to do too little until it's too late.

Ken Munn ● 2419d

UPDATE FROM GREIGE LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUEAs a shop selling non-essential items we decided to close after business yesterday until further notice. We have a small warehouse in Chiswick and will be sending online orders only from there - just the owners (John & Pauline) will be doing this. We are offering free local delivery. Due to our product type we have had a 90% drop in online orders over the last 10 days. Yes, it is a very difficult time for all and financially devastating for us, but we had to stand by our morals and make the decision to close the shop for the safety of everyone.  However, we would like to thank Jo and the ChiswickW4 team for their support, as we realise they are only trying to help in this ever-changing nightmare #stayathome #staysafe

John Farrant ● 2419d

Shut up, Ken. You truly are a horse's ass.To Paul's point about profit - wake up. There is no profit being made at any open business other than supermarkets, drug stores, places like Dyas and perhaps even wine stores.Local businesses are fighting for their lives. Holding on as we have been asked so we may save jobs for our staff and do what we can to stabilize the economic fall out on the other side of this storm - an enormous task that is all of ours to bear. In contradiction to the latest government edict, we know of a local business whose landlord asked them to pay their normal rent. One of our staff who has been furloughed was also threatened with eviction. And that's just a few weeks in to this nightmare.Per Kathleen's post on another thread about the Farmer's Market - it is also important to provide the appearance of some normalcy in the absence of it. And what Jo Biddolph did, which Ken took a swipe at, was to help the community understand which traders are open and how their business might be adapting to do something, anything, to keep some cash coming in until aid becomes available. So Ken, how dare you take a political pot shot at that. And I am all to aware that responding to your inanity provides you satisfaction which makes you all the more pathetic to my mind.Step up. If you are man enough. Because that post proved otherwise.

David Lesniak ● 2419d

If anyone care to read and comprehend the front page article it says:-"Councillor Joanna Biddolph and her colleagues on the Chiswick Shops Task Force have spoken to many of the local independent shops who say they badly need residents to support them through this crisis. They want to get the message out that Chiswick Is Still Open For Business.She said, "Though we must, of course, follow guidelines on social distancing and working from home it is vital to support traders. Our local shops are helping us do this by introducing special services and being innovative."It's the small independent businesses that need support and it's  they who are asking for it  not Cllr Biddolph, she is publicising it - don't shoot the messenger ! These businesses are fighting for their commercial lives.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2419d

Governments around the world have said people shouldn’t make non-essential journeys, but have failed to define what essential is. They have left it to the individual to decide, so who are you or I to decide what is or isn’t essential for others.I don’t have a pet, so as far as I am concerned, pet shops and vets are non-essential so should all close. Of course I can hear all the people with pets screaming at me as I type this, as they would consider them vital and essential. Likewise Chiswick Lighting, I don’t need any lights at the moment, so are non-essential today. But in a few weeks they may be an essential shop for me, so I hope they stay open.In the next few weeks when everyone runs out of printer paper, stationers will become an essential shop. Before you start deciding what is or isn’t essential for other people, how about proposing ideas on how all these shops can continue operating. 

Colin Potter ● 2418d

There appears to have been multiple changes to the chiswickw4 article in the last 24 hours.Firstly, the headline was changed :Yesterday it was:  "Local Traders Begin The Fight Back Against Coronavirus - How our local shops and businesses plan to operate to get through the crisis"Now it is somewhat less bellicose: "How Local Traders Plan To Operate During COVID-19 - An outline of what Chiswick businesses are offering to customers"Also the names of two other Chiswick cllrs and a Cllr for Ealing Broadway have been removed from the bottom of the article.All a bit odd.https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/response-from-cllr-biddolph-on-shopping-row/

Michael Robinson ● 2418d

Who can blame Patrick Barr and Gabriella Giles for wishing to disassociate themselves from this irresponsible messaging? People on this thread arguing that the likes of Frivoli and Decorexi on Joanna’s misguided list are selling what could be classified as “essential” items are struggling to understand the gravity of the public health crisis and also seriously need to re-evaluate their values.

Paul Campbell ● 2418d

It really still hasn't sunk in with many that Covid19 has been allowed to escape and is now on the rampage. STAY AT HOME is a life saver.

Ken Munn ● 2418d

The Government’s message is STAY AT HOME if you can. It is really not necessary to go out shopping for that lampshade or coffee table or sofa. Any member of the Conservative party who actively promotes shopping against the official government advice, should be expelled from the party immediately.

Steve Taylor ● 2418d

Franco Manca appears to be open for takeaway or delivery

John Southey ● 2418d

We have a family member who has a compromised immune system who we are currently supporting in her isolation. Circumstances have meant that I have no choice but to continue to go work even though we understand this could present an extra risk. I'm not therefore going to condemn anyone trying to make a living provided they are taking every other possible precaution to reduce the chance of spreading the infection.  The criticism of Cllr Biddolph for offering support to local businesses seems in large part motivated by old grudges against her particularly to do with her views on the cycle highway. People need to reflect on their behaviour and perhaps not choose this time for score settling. The main problem with retailing in Chiswick is the failure of the larger stores to even yet take effective measures to promote social distancing and reduce shortages. Anyone who is primarily motivated to help combat the spread of the disease would be focusing their attention on this issue.  One of her chief detractors was not long ago condemning the World Health Organisation for their recommendations promoting social distancing. Great. Head of WHO advises over 60s to avoid public transport. Like they need any more encouragement to be inactive, take up public space, and pollute the planet by driving their cars everywhere.— Paul Campbell (@PauloCampbell) March 2, 2020

Kevin Howard ● 2418d

KevinA sensible and balanced post. I hope all your family stay safe and healthy.As for Mr Campbell he never tires of taking pot shots at Cllr Biddolph  and from his Tweet which you kindly posted, he cares little for the vulnvulner elderly. Thank you for posting that.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2418d

Rubbish. I have been active on this forum and on other social media for the past few weeks trying to help people understand the gravity of this public health crisis. Criticising anybody who is encouraging people to drive around and go about their business as usual is entirely consistent with my views on this matter. In my opinion the head of the WHO should already have been discouraging 3 weeks ago the kind of behaviour that Joanna was encouraging only on Saturday. Perhaps you could also share my tweet about the health minister’s irresponsible behaviour at a time when my risk business was already cancelling all unnecessary travel and gatherings?The idea that criticising Joanna for her previous actions disqualifies people from criticising her for her present or future ones is a convenient political position for you and her to take but most people can make their own mind up about the appropriateness of a Councillor coming on to this forum to say that “Chiswick is open” on Saturday while the government is desperately trying to help people to understand that they need to stay at home. You are the people politicising this matter. It is a public health crisis.

Paul Campbell ● 2418d

"seriously need to re-evaluate their values"Good luck doing the same, Paul.Now is not the time for politics. Nor is it the time for criticism. Circumstances change hourly. All anyone can do is their best to cope.

David Lesniak ● 2418d

It absolutely is the time to criticise irresponsible public officials sending the wrong message to a public that is clearly confused and it is also the time to correct those messages or, even better, remove them from this site.

Paul Campbell ● 2418d

I do so love that Paul is holding anyone but Boris responsible for the current government position. At that, I don't think even Boris can be blamed. If the government tells people to stay home but allows certain businesses to carry on, what precisely is the message?Paul, you are politicising. Well done for ignoring that fact. If you pulled your head out, maybe you could make better use of the loo roll.

David Lesniak ● 2418d

You mean being active on social media by posting this Ageist tweet on 2nd of March:"Great. Head of WHO advises over 60s to avoid public transport. Like they need any more encouragement to be inactive, take up public space, and pollute the planet by driving their cars everywhere"You're such a charmer, full of empathy and  consideration for the elderly. You appear to think our elderly should have less consideration than our younger population.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2418d

Here is my position to prove that the more important matter here is public health. Ann should have the editorial and this thread removed from this site. Then there will be no record of my criticism, but, more importantly there will be no public record of the shopping advice. If Joanna deletes her tweets publicising her advice then I will also delete my tweets criticising her advice. Then we can move on to talk about my views on Johnson and Cummings following a “herd immunity” strategy at a time when I knew they had access to the data that was subsequently published in the Imperial report if you like.

Paul Campbell ● 2418d

Paul, your comments are contradicted by what you said earlier in the profoundly ill-judged and callous tweet. You got the situation badly wrong but it is easy to say that with hindsight so I don't think you should be pilloried for it. We all had different views on this at the time.You may be right about the councillor's actions and, like you she may revise her position, but please don't pretend your vehemence on this issue is anything other than the extension of a petty dispute. There are far greater challenges to public health at the moment than whether or not a lampshade shop stays open.

Mark Evans ● 2418d

I'm afraid it's the wrong issue to be jumping to defend Cllr Biddolph.It's very simple and maybe you are not hearing it on the news...WE NEED TO STAY IN UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARYIt's not personal or poltical so stop trying to make it that.W4 has adapted the message but it is still inherently wrong.It's understandable that people are confused (incl Cllr Biddolph) because the messages from the Government are confused and conflicting and impossible.  "Go out but stay 2m apart" - "go to playgrounds but keep your kids 2m apart"..WTF?They will hopefully take the action they should have taken a week or maybe two ago and have a total lockdown. It will be too late for many.The NHS are already saying that they are days away from the life/death decisions on treatment. The incubation period of this virus seems to be averaging 5-7 days to about 2 weeks. So all the people shopping at the weekend and gathering in groups outside will have about 2 weeks to show symptons and give it to their loved ones. A lockdown like those belated ones in Europe will take about 2weeks before we could hope for a drop in rate of new cases and maybe that is too late.

Richard Potts ● 2418d

“You appear to think our elderly should have less consideration than our younger population.”Loraine, wait and see what happens if the number of people looking for treatment greatly exceeds the number of available ventilators. You can then expect “triaging” (prioritisation of treatment based upon chance of success) I’m not a medical professional and don’t know what those triage criteria will be, but if there is one ventilator available and it could save the life of a 40 year old or a 70 year old, I’d be surprised if age wasn’t a factor in favour of the younger person.

Michael Robinson ● 2418d

"I’m not a medical professional and don’t know what those triage criteria will be, but if there is one ventilator available and it could save the life of a 40 year old or a 70 year old, I’d be surprised if age wasn’t a factor in favour of the younger person."Michael, if it comes choosing between a younger and older person but the younger person has a criminal record and committed all manner of crimes, however the older person has led a blameless life and contributed to society all their life - who should be saved ? Making that decision on age alone would set dangerous precedents don't you think ? Just because anyone is older doesn't mean their lives are any less valuableThese are scary times with no easy answers, let's hope those choices never have to be made.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2418d

Medical staff are bound by an oath and can't make such calls. They can only go by the relative chances of saving a life and they will have no choice but to generally favour younger patients so Michael is right. I would hope Paul Campbell regrets his tweet on the subject, though as Mark points out, earlier this month was a very different time.

Francis Rowe ● 2418d

Loraine, medical professionals shouldn't be making value judgements on anything but medical evidence. They have more than enough to do without making arbitrary decisions if someone is a "good person" or a "bad person" (whatever than means anyway).Making treatment decisions based upon age happens all the time so, this is nothing new.  It is just the scale that may be different.

Michael Robinson ● 2418d

Italian doctors are faced with making these decisions. Two weeks ago, they were told don't ventilate anyone over 65 or with a co-morbidity factor. They were in tears. That's why I keep rattling on about how seriously we need to treat this and how important it is to get ahead of it, not follow the same pattern as Italy. Unfortunately we are pretty much exactly on the Italian track at the moment.

Ken Munn ● 2418d

Thank you everyone

Loraine Pemberton ● 2418d

Paul, I do think Joanna was responding to posters on here who were asking which shops were open and don't think her intention was for everyone to go shopping, the elderly should still be self isolating.

Janice Evans ● 2418d

I shopped this morning as I have not stock piled and realised in a few days I would be out of basic staples - milk, bread, eggs and some fresh veg, cabbage, carrots, broccoli.Should I have gone out? Yes.  Who is going to supply us?  You can no longer get on the list for home delivery - because I have never used them so not one of their regulars.  However our milkman of many years has assured me that he will drop off supplies if I let him know in advance.  A call to Mackens and they will deliver supplies when asked.  During my shop I, and most of the others, were gloved and masked and keeping our distance.  I am not being careless, I take the precautions available to me.  We still have to eat and trips for supplies are infrequent, about once a week,  done to a list, out and back home to isolation in the shortest amount of time. 

Elizabeth Ross ● 2418d

"You can no longer get on the list for home delivery - because I have never used them so not one of their regulars."Lays of Chelsea normally supply produce to caterers and restaurants. They have quickly swivelled towards households. I ordered a veg/fruit box yesterday at 1700. It was delivered at 0900 this morning. You'll find them with your favourite search engine.

Ken Munn ● 2418d

"One of her chief detractors was not long ago condemning the World Health Organisation for their recommendations promoting social distancing. Great. Head of WHO advises over 60s to avoid public transport. Like they need any more encouragement to be inactive, take up public space, and pollute the planet by driving their cars everywhere.— Paul Campbell (@PauloCampbell) March 2, 2020"Indeed Kevin.  Paul is a troll who can't help himself when it comes to stalking Joanna. He has shown the forum that he is an obsessed bullyboy and now he has demonstrated to the twitter world just how nasty he is by being openly ageist.  Not a nice person. One to be avoided like the virus.

Steve Taylor ● 2417d

I have no problem being the punchbag for Joanna's supporters and I always appreciate the irony of being called a troll by Steve. It is probably good for them to let off some steam during these anxious times. But I am dismayed that they are effectively reinforcing her message that "Chiswick is open" by trying to invalidate any criticism of it. I wonder how many of the people turning this into a personal attack on me were out and about this weekend? I hope for the sake of the older and vulnerable ones and the doctors and nurses in west london hospitals that they were not because the situation in ICUs is going to be dire in 2 weeks as a result. I sincerely hope that they are not continuing to visit shops for non-essential items this week. I have been self-isolating so that I do not pass it on to more vulnerable people. Anybody who would like to discuss my views on the harms to society of unnecessary car usage amongst over 60s feel free to follow and DM me on Twitter or set up another thread so that this dangerous one can be removed and so that we do not continue to divert attention from the more important issue of the public health emergency.

Paul Campbell ● 2417d

Paul, when in a hole - stop digging.

Dan Evans ● 2417d

"stop digging."Impossible for him. He is obsessive and compulsive!

Steve Taylor ● 2417d

When last we checked, the advice isn't Jo's. It is the government position determined by a team of experts not within Jo's circle. But please do nurse your grudge and continue to tar and feather her for doing her level-headed best to support traders when the information changes by the minute (side note - you won the cycle debate - maybe teach your children something other than what its like to be a sore winner).Perhaps if the government opted to cancel the rent cycle and utility bill cycle, etc., and shut down everything equally maybe then you'd have the complete closure you seek. But as long as we're in a holding pattern of deferred costs, you can bet your bottom dollar anyone who can trade and abides by the legislation as it exists this moment will do so. Does it upset you grocery stores are unable to monitor the 2-meter rule? I haven't been to one yet that enforces it nor do the customers take it upon themselves to do so. So, Paul, you have companies like Sainsbury's that are actually profiting from this crises who don't comply and those like us who do comply at a hefty loss and yet you aim your bile at those who struggle. You can't make that sh*t up. But I do so wish you'd be a figment of my imagination. Oh well.

David Lesniak ● 2417d

Italy has now seen slight improvement today.

Janice Evans ● 2416d