Lee Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 I’m fortunate because I’m majority bike shop these days I was able to stay open, but chose not to. im opening Tomorrow and thought I’d give you a run down of what I’ve done (for the food for thought for you if you haven’t got a solid plan) 1. I move my counter to the door. With a small enough area to get people in and out of the weather. 2. Outside I have a forecourt with tiled floor, so I cut a social distancing sticker on my vinyl cutter and have a 2 metre area for social distancing to allow customers free passage in and out 3. I have adhered to the HSE guide lines and placed their A4 poster in the window https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb97d30d3bf7f5d364bfbb6/staying-covid-19-secure.pdf 4. I have printed a Covid-19 risk assessment which is next to the counter 5. I have put 1 customer at a time banner across my doors and windows at my entrance. 6. I have a 1 metre x 900 sneeze screen on the counter 7. I have a separate trolley at the side of the counter for repair work to be placed so it’s not put on the counter 8. I have hand sanitiser both sides of the counter (counter side tie wrapped to the sneeze screen to stop it being pinched) 9. I have a sign on the sneeze screen for the sanitiser and also a QR code for PayPal payments for those with the PayPal app 10. face masks for me and staff (family) 11. Rubber gloves 12. I did a simple online training course that gave me a certificate that I also printed and put on the sneeze screen https://www.virtual-college.co.uk/courses//prevent-covid-19-free-training I don’t think I could have done more to protect customers and myself. i hope this might have mentioned something you could do, or show something I’ve completely forgotten about! Mike at Vauxhall, Mick Friend and Paul_ 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_ Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 I'm opening back up tomorrow for a few hours each day. We have a dry cleaning agency so have been told legally we can open. This is what i've done: *Huge posters in the front and side window telling people that one person in the shop at a time. I have a small shop so hardly worth moving the counter 2 feet forward. *Signs telling people to queue outside (towards the pub) within 2m of each other *Sneeze screen for the counter and all around the work area, there is a sheild between all work areas and the customers *Back door and front window above door to be kept open while open to public *Santiser on both sides of the counter screen (Cheers Lee, going to tie down the customers one now!), paper towels provided to open the door when exiting *Gloves and to be worn and changed regularily and mask worn *Shoes are going to be quarantined for 4 days before starting and advice given to quarantine after pick up. Customers are going to place their footwear in a box marked with start date. *Opening 10am -2pm 6 days per week for now. First 30 minutes for eldery, those with mobility issues (do a lot of ortho work) and NHS staff In the morning i'm going to print off the HSE guidlines and put that on the screen and in the window, good tip. I made the announcement on FB about 2 hours ago and my messages haven't stopped pinging since. I think I'm going to be busy. We've been thinking long and very hard about re-opening and now feels like the right time. I hope i'm doing the right thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 Both these look like really good, sensible methods will be interesting to see how it all goes, good luck Lee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted May 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 I’ve been reopen 2 days and have been flat out. Both days I was there 12 hours, mainly bikes because the lock down has created the perfect storm for the bike industry and I’m late to the party! But also busy has been key cutting and watch batteries, so take hart that people haven’t (in the majority of areas) been able to get these done anywhere so when you reopen you could have 3 months worth of watch batteries the first week back so top up your stocks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 How are you dealing with watches? My thoughts were pop back in 10 minutes as I only have room for 1 customer at a time, new pair of gloves and a quick wipe over with anti-bac? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 Hard to do wearing gloves to be honest unless they are a snug fit, done 3 this morning, i wipe each watch with an anti-bac wipe, replace battery then re wipe before handing back. Done well over 50 watch batteries in the last 10 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 18 minutes ago, Michael said: How are you dealing with watches? My thoughts were pop back in 10 minutes as I only have room for 1 customer at a time, new pair of gloves and a quick wipe over with anti-bac? You will quickly run out of gloves better hand hygiene is more important regular wash and use hand gel - even with glove use you should be doing this. By all means use gloves but don't fall into the trap of using gloves which could make people complacent as well. Oh and don't touch your face. ponsaloti 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 Fogot to say hand gel after each watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 I started to wear vinyl gloves or finger cots to do watches more before lockdown as I was seeing some right grotty watches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 21 minutes ago, Michael said: I started to wear vinyl gloves or finger cots to do watches more before lockdown as I was seeing some right grotty watches. Aha that's sensible (yuck) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_ Posted May 20, 2020 Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 I am only opening 10am - 2pm each day for now and so far that's enough for me! I've been steady on all services, key cutting being the best closely followed by engraving. Strangley I've taken in 5 laminate plaques, a military presentation plaque and sold 2 x Zippos. Shoes are quieter than I expected but at least i'm open and ticking over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted May 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2020 Shoes are VERY quiet. Watch busy, keys busy, bikes unbelievably busy. I’ve already had my busiest week on record and I still have 3 days trading left! I’m knackered. I was at the shop before 7am but got home by 8pm tonight because I was starting to make mistakes. I’m going to get a good nights sleep and crack on in the morning. this was my shop at about mid day today.and to think only 5 years ago I didn’t do bikes! petercoulson and x minit uk 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Friend Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 pleased for you Lee you work so damned hard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 Last Thursday, Friday and Monday I spent in my shop engraving a logo on to 257 glasses ( 94 beer, 60 wine and 103 gin) with some of the proceeds going to a local charity. It took me roughly 11 hours per day to engrave, then 6 hours of driving round town hand delivering them. I did have the Saturday and Sunday off as I didn't feel great. I was physically shattered. After sitting around for 8 weeks not doing much it was a shock to the system!! It has made me think that when I go back, I don't know if I want to work like a madman anymore. I'm only 45, so a long way from retiring, and nowhere near financially able to, but my NHS style applause goes out to you Lee, and all others that put in so much hard work into your businesses. Maybe for you Lee, it was the change into something that you felt more passionate about than shoes, that drove you into a thriving business in bikes? Maybe I need to diversify into something I enjoy? Anyone got a business plan that involves crisps, pizza and watching TV???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 Apply for goggle box Mike at Vauxhall and Michael 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Patsy said: Apply for goggle box That was the first thing that popped in my head after I posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike at Vauxhall Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 7 hours ago, Michael said: Anyone got a business plan that involves crisps, pizza and watching TV???? Donald Trump's Corona pandemic adviser? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k4mrc Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 1 hour ago, cowers lane 583 said: Donald Trump's Corona pandemic adviser? everybody 'bashes' Trump - they are now trialing with volunteers taking the very drug that the news stated he was mad taking. Seems he was way ahead of them all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike at Vauxhall Posted May 21, 2020 Report Share Posted May 21, 2020 Ironically I do feel he's the best man to take China to task over this whole situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted May 22, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 So I’m 5 days into an amazing week. I’ve been working 12/14 hour days. The majority on bikes naturally. I can’t buy a bike wholesale ANYWHERE I have 5 major parts suppliers and 3 smaller independent ones NONE have a 26” inner tube ( the most popular) and I’ll run out of these from stock in the next couple of days it’s been bananas! when we get a record week we can usually say “that was that big trophy order” or “do you remember that key order” I still have tomorrow to go and have smashed my record week by over a grand already. I’ve almost made up the 8 weeks I closed in the first one open. whats I would say & ive said it before. Stock up on watch batteries, but ESPECIALLY keys, I’m doing a typical weeks keys each DAY. shoes however have been nothing more than a trickle. Personally if I didn’t have bikes, I’d be open next week regardless. I’ve had no “official” come in the shop to check on what I’m doing and if you played the hardware card with a week to go I’d lay money on the fact they’d be so unsure they’d leave it for the sake of a week. Get ahead of your local caravan boy. k4mrc and petercoulson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted May 22, 2020 Report Share Posted May 22, 2020 Same as you Lee, i have done well over 100 watch and key fob batteries in 2 weeks (23 today alone). I also could see a blank shortage possibly happening so ordered 5000+ blanks in the week before shut down. I have not totalled up yet but i think the last 2 weeks will be nearly the best weeks i have had this year it has been insane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted May 23, 2020 Report Share Posted May 23, 2020 Not very busy here but then I am in the town centre and not on a housing estate . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da miller Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 On 5/17/2020 at 5:02 PM, Lee said: I’m fortunate because I’m majority bike shop these days I was able to stay open, but chose not to. im opening Tomorrow and thought I’d give you a run down of what I’ve done (for the food for thought for you if you haven’t got a solid plan) 1. I move my counter to the door. With a small enough area to get people in and out of the weather. 2. Outside I have a forecourt with tiled floor, so I cut a social distancing sticker on my vinyl cutter and have a 2 metre area for social distancing to allow customers free passage in and out 3. I have adhered to the HSE guide lines and placed their A4 poster in the window https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5eb97d30d3bf7f5d364bfbb6/staying-covid-19-secure.pdf 4. I have printed a Covid-19 risk assessment which is next to the counter 5. I have put 1 customer at a time banner across my doors and windows at my entrance. 6. I have a 1 metre x 900 sneeze screen on the counter 7. I have a separate trolley at the side of the counter for repair work to be placed so it’s not put on the counter 8. I have hand sanitiser both sides of the counter (counter side tie wrapped to the sneeze screen to stop it being pinched) 9. I have a sign on the sneeze screen for the sanitiser and also a QR code for PayPal payments for those with the PayPal app 10. face masks for me and staff (family) 11. Rubber gloves 12. I did a simple online training course that gave me a certificate that I also printed and put on the sneeze screen https://www.virtual-college.co.uk/courses//prevent-covid-19-free-training I don’t think I could have done more to protect customers and myself. i hope this might have mentioned something you could do, or show something I’ve completely forgotten about! done course cheers no harm letting customers know you're aware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted May 24, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 I put the certificate on my sneeze screen I’ve had more than a handful of customers tap it and say things like “that’s good to see” or “well done” it’s the bull shit they love to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 2 hours ago, Lee said: it’s the bull shit they love to see. That's a little unfair on yourself it isn't bull shit more frills but also says you've thought about it and done something Lee 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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