thedailyecho--2020-04-04--Why are garden centres closed during lockdown - and where to buy compost and paint

Scores of businesses remain closed after the UK government ordered them to close in a dramatic bid to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Those deemed as “ non-essential ” were required to close their doors until further notice - but does this include garden centres ?
Here ’ s what you need to know .
Yes they are - the closure of “ non-essential ” businesses , including garden centres and nurseries , means that millions of plants , shrubs and trees could now be thrown out in the coming days and weeks .
This could result in potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) asking the government for financial assistance of up to £250m in order to help the industry avoid collapse , the BBC has reported .
The main assets of ornamental plant growers ' are their inventory of plants - but according to the HTA , they are now facing a loss of almost their entire 2020 income .
• Medical services ( such as dental surgeries , opticians and audiology clinics , physiotherapy clinics , chiropody and podiatry clinics , and other professional vocational medical services ) • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including those within breweries • Storage and distribution facilities , including delivery drop off points where they are on the premises of any of the above businesses • Shopping centres may stay open but only units of the types listed above may trade Where else can I buy compost , paint and other gardening materials ?
As listed above , hardware shops and equipment , plant and tool hire , and agricultural supplies shops currently remain open , many of which sell items that you are looking for .
Alternatively , online gardening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gardening items , and garden centres may now also be selling items online while they are closed to visitors .
B & Q stores are no longer open for browsing or purchasing , but customers can order essentials from B & Q 's website .
You can order items to be delivered directly to your home or you can click and collect from your local store where items will be brought to your car in order to minimise contact with staff in stores .
However , if you do order via click and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential products for the repair and maintenance of your home .
Homebase has also temporarily closed its stores , but is still operating an online delivery service .
However , according to its website , there 's a delay of up to three days on some items .
Standard delivery is free of charge .
Next day or named day delivery costs £6 .
Dobbies garden centres across the UK have now temporarily closed , after coming under fire after originally remaining open when lockdown was first put into place .
Supermarkets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M sometimes sell seeds , plants , compost and basic gardening equipment , so you could check these if you ’ re already there buying essential food items .
However , it ’ s worth remembering that you should only leave the house for very limited purposes , one of which Gov.uk explains is “ shopping for basic necessities , for example food and medicine , which must be as infrequent as possible ” .
The other three times you are allowed to leave the house , according to Gov.uk , are for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , for example a run , walk , or cycle - alone or with members of your household • any medical need , including to donate blood , avoid or escape risk of injury or harm , or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person • travelling for work purposes , but only where you can not work from home

Those deemed as “non-essential” were required to close their doors until further notice - but does this include garden centres?
Here’s what you need to know.
Are garden centres closed?
Yes they are - the closure of “non-essential” businesses, including garden centres and nurseries, means that millions of plants, shrubs and trees could now be thrown out in the coming days and weeks.
This could result in potential ruin for UK growers, with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) asking the government for financial assistance of up to £250m in order to help the industry avoid collapse, the BBC has reported.
The main assets of ornamental plant growers' are their inventory of plants - but according to the HTA, they are now facing a loss of almost their entire 2020 income.
Which businesses and venues remain open?
Supermarkets and other food shops
Medical services (such as dental surgeries, opticians and audiology clinics, physiotherapy clinics, chiropody and podiatry clinics, and other professional vocational medical services)
Pharmacies and chemists, including non-dispensing pharmacies
Petrol stations
Bicycle shops
Hardware shops and equipment, plant and tool hire
Veterinary surgeries and pet shops
Agricultural supplies shops
Corner shops and newsagents
Off-licences and licenced shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries
Laundrettes and dry cleaners
Post offices
Vehicle rental services
Car garages and MOT services
Car parks
High street banks, building societies, short-term loan providers, credit unions and cash points
Storage and distribution facilities, including delivery drop off points where they are on the premises of any of the above businesses
Public toilets
Shopping centres may stay open but only units of the types listed above may trade
Where else can I buy compost, paint and other gardening materials?
As listed above, hardware shops and equipment, plant and tool hire, and agricultural supplies shops currently remain open, many of which sell items that you are looking for.
Alternatively, online gardening supply stores sell a range of day-to-day gardening items, and garden centres may now also be selling items online while they are closed to visitors.
B&Q
B&Q stores are no longer open for browsing or purchasing, but customers can order essentials from B&Q's website.
You can order items to be delivered directly to your home or you can click and collect from your local store where items will be brought to your car in order to minimise contact with staff in stores.
However, if you do order via click and collect you will be limited to buying essential products for the repair and maintenance of your home.
Homebase
Homebase has also temporarily closed its stores, but is still operating an online delivery service.
However, according to its website, there's a delay of up to three days on some items.
Standard delivery is free of charge. Next day or named day delivery costs £6.
Dobbies
Dobbies garden centres across the UK have now temporarily closed, after coming under fire after originally remaining open when lockdown was first put into place.
Supermarkets and stores such as Wilko and B&M sometimes sell seeds, plants, compost and basic gardening equipment, so you could check these if you’re already there buying essential food items.
Health warning
However, it’s worth remembering that you should only leave the house for very limited purposes, one of which Gov.uk explains is “shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible”.
The other three times you are allowed to leave the house, according to Gov.uk, are for:


thedailyecho--2020-04-04--ARCHIVE PIC OF THE DAY: Area around Southampton Central Railway Station

IT 'S one Southampton landmark that 's changed dramatically over the years .
A through-station was first situated here on @ @ @ @ @ in 1847 .
This bird ’ s-eye view shows the Southampton Central Railway Station area @ @ @ @ @ have any more information you would like to share about this picture , why not @ @ @ @

A through-station was first situated here on the Southampton to Dorchester line in 1847.
This bird’s-eye view shows the Southampton Central Railway Station area in 1957.
If you have any more information you would like to share about this picture, why not leave a comment?