Waterstone’s the J D Wetherspoon of the book trade
Boss of J D Wetherspoon Tim Martin was more than happy to put staff and clientele at risk by forcing sick staff into work under threat of no sick pay.
The same irresponsible attitude, encouraging going to the pub, failure to heed advice on social distancing.
Waterstone’s are showing the same contempt for staff and customers during coronavirus crisis. No ban on cash, no hand sanitiser, no social distancing. Office staff sent home, staff in book shops forced to carry on working.
Waterstone’s where greed rules ok. There should be hand sanitiser by the door, everyone walking in required to use. Contactless card only. Close early at three every day. This was the norm in Sheffield last week.
Contrast last week with Steam Yard coffee shop in Sheffield. Hand sanitiser by the door, close at three.
Or contrast with fish n chip restaurant Elite on the Bail, restaurant closed takeaway at the back, social distancing, hand sanitiser on offer to use.
Waterstone’s destroyed Ottakar’s. I had hoped James Daunt may improve, but no. Still the rubbish dumped by publishers piled on tables, staff treated badly.
Why is it always the big corporate chains that treat their staff badly?
Indie coffee shops as always leading the way. Coffee served in takeaway cups, no reusable cups, hand sanitiser by the door.
Talking to an employee of 200 Degrees a small coffee shop chain before they were forced to close, she said refusal to put hand sanitiser by the door, no interest in health and safety of staff or customers.
When the ban on pubs, bars, coffee shops came in, I walked down Lincoln High Street, indie coffee shops closed, Caffe Nero and Starbucks open.
Use contactless card. I prefer cash, cash is anonymous, cards are traced and tracked, inflate profits of banks, but these are not normal times, cash is dirty. Similarly, good coffee is to be appreciated, sit and relax with coffee served in ceramic or glass, but not normal times, takeaway protects staff and customers, minimises contamination.
Support your local indie bookshop
- P&G Wells — Winchester
- Lindum Books — Lincoln
- Blue Bear Bookshop — Farnham
- Ideas on Paper — Nottingham
and indie coffee shops
- Marmadukes — Sheffield
- Steam Yard — Sheffield
- The Specialty Coffee Shop — Nottingham
- Cartwheel Coffee — Nottingham
- Outpost Coffee — Nottingham
- Madame Waffle — Lincoln
- Coffee Aroma — Lincoln
- Krema — Farnham and Guildford
- Coffee Lab — Winchester
By no means an exhaustive list.
Tuesday of last week, UK was two weeks behind Italy, one week behind Spain, with one big difference, Italy and Spain already had measures in place before they introduced ever tighter measures. In UK, too little, too late.
If you wish for something to read, stuck at home, read an e-book.
Paulo Coelho has made available several of his books for free download.
Something other writers and filmmakers could do.
Mark Thomas has made available for almost free download one of his shows (he asks make a donation to a food bank).
When Primark, McDonald’s announce they are closing, we know it is game up.
Waterstone’s announced they were closing. But will staff get paid? Staff who were off sick, suspected covid-19, told to take out of their annual leave.
James Daunt the Tim Martin of the book trade. Shops closed but more likely no one on the streets, no one buying books, shops losing money, than consideration for the well being of staff and customers. Plus with shops closed staff on furlough government will pay 80% of their salary
But what does this say of Pepsi Trump? China gave us time, we squandered it. Tuesday of last week UK was two weeks behind Italy, one week behind Spain. With one big difference, both countries had measures in place, and have since tightened those measures. It was sporting bodies which decided to close, led the way. Now it is shops closing, taking the initiative. Still no lockdown of London. Bars and pubs serving drinks.
