Any Major Supermarkets In North London Back Open 24 Hours?

[smiths]

Does anyone know of 1 or more of the major supermarkets in North London, Herts or thereabouts who were open 24/7 on weekdays pre-lockdown going back to those hours? None in my area have done so that I have seen but 1 Asda in Colindale is now 7am-midnight. To me I would prefer as I did pre virus to do my big shop in the early hours and even more so now with the virus. The big rush on food is over at least in my area, no longer the long queues at supermarkets, one reason I heard that they were only going to be open 8am-8pm was to give extra time for staff to restock and without the public breathing all over them whilst doing so. To me less people in the shop may mean less risk for me obviously.

I assume 1 reason now is they still don't want customers shopping while their staff are filling the shelves over night, another is they have done very well out of the virus without needing to be open to the public for those previous long hours. If the latter reason is the case will they bother reopening 24 hours I wonder. Or aren't they allowed to reopen 24 hours under the current lockdown rules at present, anyone know?

[Blackpool Rock]

I've also wondered why the large Tesco on my way to work isn't back 24 hours, turned up at 7.20 one morning about a month ago to get an item on my way to work only to find I would have to wait 40 minutes, I left but seemingly others were more than happy to stand in a queue for that amount of time 

As I drove to work I couldn't help thinking the logic of restricting hours is flawed as surely the same amount of shoppers per 24 hours now all have to cram into the shop closer if the hours are restricted.

I can understand closing before to restock when the shelves were being picked clean like a shark attack frenzy but makes more sense to open up now, unless like you suggest they have actually done more business in less hours and therefore made more profit 
If that's the case then they may not want to reopen 24 hours but all it will take is for 1 to jump ship and they all follow.

Another thing which has pissed me off is the lack of special offers 2 for 1 and 3 for 2 etc plus not getting money off vouchers anymore, supermarkets seem to be ripping off the public more than ever 

[Strawberry]

The patterns in March really threw the system, I am wondering if the supermarkets will resist and keep their current 'control' for as long as possible - but as already posted one going back to 24 hours could pressure the others.

Interestingly small versions of supermarkets locally didn't seem affected, nothing has changed so hasn't affected me so far. The removal of discounts and incentives made sense, however how much have customers capitulated?

[Zeusthedoc]

i can't imagine they're in a rush to open back to 24hrs - although i recall my local Tesco Extra (which was 24hrs) having a considerable number of cars in the car park at all times - including the odd time that i had driven past at 3am

they've probably done well enough at these 'reduced' hours that they'll be wondering if all the buzz of the 24hr thing isn't really worth it

5 or 6am-midnight will probably cover enough of the bases

[Chorley]

I'm not a million miles from your neck of the woods Smith's, but there's none I'm aware of in my locality.

Even the localIndian corner shops near me close early now. Some as early as 7pm. 

[smiths]

I'm not a million miles from your neck of the woods Smith's, but there's none I'm aware of in my locality.

Even the localIndian corner shops near me close early now. Some as early as 7pm. 

Thanks, there is even now a difference or was when I looked a couple of days ago between the 7am-12 midnight that Asda Colindale is now open, and the 8am-10pm Asda Southgate is open now, and not long as I know Asda Southgate were opening 7am-10pm for a while. I have been using shops like Sainsbury local during the virus which are ok for bread and other staples and have been mainly empty, and I was finally able to get an online delivery a few weeks ago at last so stocked up and I did get all the items and multiples of them I ordered.

But it would still be good for me to see one of the big boys reopen 24 hours in the week.

[smiths]

I've also wondered why the large Tesco on my way to work isn't back 24 hours, turned up at 7.20 one morning about a month ago to get an item on my way to work only to find I would have to wait 40 minutes, I left but seemingly others were more than happy to stand in a queue for that amount of time 

As I drove to work I couldn't help thinking the logic of restricting hours is flawed as surely the same amount of shoppers per 24 hours now all have to cram into the shop closer if the hours are restricted.

I can understand closing before to restock when the shelves were being picked clean like a shark attack frenzy but makes more sense to open up now, unless like you suggest they have actually done more business in less hours and therefore made more profit 
If that's the case then they may not want to reopen 24 hours but all it will take is for 1 to jump ship and they all follow.

Another thing which has pissed me off is the lack of special offers 2 for 1 and 3 for 2 etc plus not getting money off vouchers anymore, supermarkets seem to be ripping off the public more than ever 

I agree with you about the logic, to me its less risk for shoppers anyway to be open 24 hours as that may mean less customers at 1 time than now knowing they can go at anytime of the day or night. I would still expect more people to be in their in the early hours than before the virus but still a lot less overall than in the daytime. The shops I was using pre-virus weren't often busy at 3am but that may be a reason they haven't gone back to 24 hours of course. Profits have been good without being open 24 hours.

[daviemac]

I agree with you about the logic, to me its less risk for shoppers anyway to be open 24 hours as that may mean less customers at 1 time than now knowing they can go at anytime of the day or night. I would still expect more people to be in their in the early hours than before the virus but still a lot less overall than in the daytime. The shops I was using pre-virus weren't often busy at 3am but that may be a reason they haven't gone back to 24 hours of course. Profits have been good without being open 24 hours.

My local Asda used to be open 24 hours (except sat night) then when lockdown started closed at 8 pm and I think didn't open until 8 or 9 am. The queues were horrendous, no chance of doing any shopping when it was quiet. Now they are open until 10 pm and I go about 8 or 9 pm and have no problem with crowds. I couldn't understand why they shortened the hours yet tried to fit the same number of people in then keep them all apart.

When they were open 24 hours they stocked shelves etc overnight and it only took one extra staff member to run the 12 or so self scan tills, which were the only ones open.

 

[Beamer]

According to a pal of mine some arguments to open 24 hours  have gone to main board level.
I'm not sure which way is best, but suspect that 24 hours has had its day. Need to factor in the phenomenal rise of online as well.

[smiths]

My local Asda used to be open 24 hours (except sat night) then when lockdown started closed at 8 pm and I think didn't open until 8 or 9 am. The queues were horrendous, no chance of doing any shopping when it was quiet. Now they are open until 10 pm and I go about 8 or 9 pm and have no problem with crowds. I couldn't understand why they shortened the hours yet tried to fit the same number of people in then keep them all apart.

When they were open 24 hours they stocked shelves etc overnight and it only took one extra staff member to run the 12 or so self scan tills, which were the only ones open.

Indeed, I think the initial reasons for going to 8am-8pm which is what all the big supermarkets in my area did was to allow for extra time to restock due to greatly increased demand, and to protect staff doing the stocking from customers. But staff are facing customers every day of course and the demand has gone down in my area. IMO a mistake was made to change from 24 hours but at the time of initial lockdown the government wanted as little people about on the streets as possible. That's all changed now though, so we shall see who if any of the big boys do go back to 24 hours, I hope they do.

Yes the same thing with just 1 member of staff keeping an eye on the tills in the ones I used, the self service machines especially the big ones with the escalator used to break down and need to be rescanned by that staff member on occasion. There is previous in my area for Sainsburys to go from 24 hour back to shutting at 10pm, this occurred at all big branches a few years ago in my area, up till then for at least 10 years some near me had been 24 hours. Asda and Tesco once they went 24 hours never went back.

[myothernameis]

My work place Asda, they are planning to go back to 24 hrs, but I think this will be short lived, as we approach the winter months.  I believe we will be in a full lockdown, and we wont have a choice or say, it will be stay at home, you dont have any choice

[smiths]

My work place Asda, they are planning to go back to 24 hrs, but I think this will be short lived, as we approach the winter months.  I believe we will be in a full lockdown, and we wont have a choice or say, it will be stay at home, you dont have any choice

Thanks for the info. IF we were in a full lockdown that of course changes everything, hopefully that wont happen. I did pop into an Asda at 11.30pm that closes at midnight and it was quite empty apart from staff and there was still plenty of stock that I wanted still available so job done now for a few weeks except bread.

[Kev40ish]

Thanks for the info. IF we were in a full lockdown that of course changes everything, hopefully that wont happen. I did pop into an Asda at 11.30pm that closes at midnight and it was quite empty apart from staff and there was still plenty of stock that I wanted still available so job done now for a few weeks except bread.

The main reason they are not rushing back is to maintain social distancing for their Online pickers. Their online orders have increased massively so they are having to pick so much more.
So with the Nightshift and the Pickers who now start at 2am, going around with their trolleys the customers would just get in the way.

They want them all out of the way before the customers come in.

[Digby232]

No need for 24 hour shopping. Or Sunday trading. Let’s go back to 5 1/2 day trading as it was 50 years ago. All these sad fuckers wandering around the shops as got nothing to do.

[Xtro]

Thanks for the info. IF we were in a full lockdown that of course changes everything, hopefully that wont happen. I did pop into an Asda at 11.30pm that closes at midnight and it was quite empty apart from staff and there was still plenty of stock that I wanted still available so job done now for a few weeks except bread.

Try this next time you're in Asda - External Link/Members Only
A bit pricey but a lovely bread.   

No need for 24 hour shopping. Or Sunday trading. Let’s go back to 5 1/2 day trading as it was 50 years ago. All these sad fuckers wandering around the shops as got nothing to do.

Some people still work shifts and have no choice.   

I agree with no Sunday trading though.   

[smiths]

Try this next time you're in Asda - External Link/Members Only
A bit pricey but a lovely bread.   


Some people still work shifts and have no choice.   

I agree with no Sunday trading though.   

Thanks I shall bear it in mind.

[smiths]

The main reason they are not rushing back is to maintain social distancing for their Online pickers. Their online orders have increased massively so they are having to pick so much more.
So with the Nightshift and the Pickers who now start at 2am, going around with their trolleys the customers would just get in the way.

They want them all out of the way before the customers come in.

I mentioned not wanting customers mingling with staff who were shelf filling. I thought some supermarkets now used dedicated distribution centres for their online delivery operations so branches weren't involved. Morrisons told me they do a while ago but they don't open 24 hours anyway and never have in my area. It is only Asda and Tesco that were doing so as Sainsburys were 24 hours for years but stopped that about 4 years ago near me.

[Steve2]

Thanks for the info. IF we were in a full lockdown that of course changes everything, hopefully that wont happen. I did pop into an Asda at 11.30pm that closes at midnight and it was quite empty apart from staff and there was still plenty of stock that I wanted still available so job done now for a few weeks except bread.

Good idea is to freeze sliced bread and just defrost or toast the slices as you need them 

[daviemac]

All these sad fuckers wandering around the shops as got nothing to do.

Not half as sad as those fuckers hanging around a punting forum who are too shit scared to even have a punt.   

[Blackpool Rock]

Good idea is to freeze sliced bread and just defrost or toast the slices as you need them 

Another tip is to just physically separate the slices from each other then reform the loaf before putting it in the freezer, if you separate them before then they are easy to get apart when you want to take a couple of slices out whereas the whole loaf can stick together otherwise

[lostandfound]

Good idea is to freeze sliced bread and just defrost or toast the slices as you need them 

Toasting bread when from frozen is also claimed to be better for you!

External Link/Members Only

[Item 4 on that list].

[Xtro]

Toasting bread when from frozen is also claimed to be better for you!

External Link/Members Only

[Item 4 on that list].

Here's part 1 of 2 of that programme , (Sorry, cannot find part 2) - External Link/Members Only

Also, The Truth About Sugar - External Link/Members Only

[tynetunnel]

With all these bread freezing hints and tips I thought for a second I’d logged on to not allowed by mistake! 

[Xtro]

With all these bread freezing hints and tips I thought for a second I’d logged on to not allowed by mistake! 

Welcome back to Off-Topic!   

[Blackpool Rock]

With all these bread freezing hints and tips I thought for a second I’d logged on to not allowed by mistake! 

I almost made a comment about not allowed when I posted about separating the slices but thankfully OT is very civil these days so no divisions about Granary Vs Wholemeal etc 

[lostandfound]

I bit my tongue to stop myself mentioning sourdough! 

[Xtro]

Off-Topic seems to be seedier than the review threads!   

[daviemac]

With all these bread freezing hints and tips I thought for a second I’d logged on to not allowed by mistake! 

Come on now TT, there's no knead for that.   

[Blackpool Rock]

Come on now TT, there's no knead for that.   

Don't take the rise 

[daviemac]

Don't take the rise 

He couldn't prove his claims anyway.   

[Blackpool Rock]

He couldn't prove his claims anyway.   

Knew i'd get stick for that 

[Xtro]

Come on now TT, there's no knead for that.   

Nice play on words dm.... for a minute I just thought you'd spelt it wrong!   

[smiths]

Good idea is to freeze sliced bread and just defrost or toast the slices as you need them 

I like bread fresh mate. Saying that though i do also like the Warburtons Crusty after its goes a bit hard, it tastes better.

[winkywanky]

Nice play on words dm.... for a minute I just thought you'd spelt it wrong!  

I knew your jokes were old Xtro, but that's going back to ancient Egypt!

Spelt = ancient grain

Xtro = ancient groan

[Xtro]

I knew your jokes were old Xtro, but that's going back to ancient Egypt!

Spelt = ancient grain

Xtro = ancient groan

I bet you said that with a rye smile!   

[Chorley]

I bet you said that with a rye smile!   

That joke was oats-o predictable. 

[tynetunnel]

The contraction of permitted topics within off topic seems to have separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of those who have ceased posting 

[Chorley]

The contraction of permitted topics within off topic seems to have separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of those who have ceased posting 

Barley a day goes by when Off Topic isn't mentioned. Thankfully we dont have to put up with those Bulgar posts any more. Personally I Kamut wait for things to get back to normal.

PS apologies for the Corn-y puns.  

[winkywanky]

FFS...

Well I guess we reap what we sow 

[Xtro]

You bunch of inbreads!        

Incidentally....... I couldn't get any bread in the supermarket today so I went to the park and threw I.O.U's to the ducks.

[tynetunnel]

You bunch of inbreads!        

Incidentally....... I couldn't get any bread in the supermarket today so I went to the park and threw I.O.U's to the ducks.

You’ve made a bit of a Bloomer there!   

[winkywanky]

You bunch of inbreads!        

Incidentally....... I couldn't get any bread in the supermarket today so I went to the park and threw I.O.U's to the ducks.

As far as they're concerned you're toast now. I'd wear a hat next time you go if I were you.

[Chorley]

I' ve got  a Rye smile reading this thread. However, I Dough not think it can go any further. 

[Xtro]

I' ve got  a Rye smile reading this thread. However, I Dough not think it can go any further. 

I'm sure you'll think of some more if you use your loaf!!   

[Zeusthedoc]

I' ve got  a Rye smile reading this thread. However, I Dough not think it can go any further. 

Someone's gotta make a wholemeal of it

[winkywanky]

This thread's been done to death now, it's an empty husk 

[Zeusthedoc]

Personally I think it's 50:50, whatever way you slice it

[tynetunnel]

Personally I’m on this site hoping to find a nice bit of crumpet

[Xtro]

Just had some people at my door trying to convince me that eating brown bread was better than white.

Fucking Jehovis witnesses!!      

[winkywanky]

Just had some people at my door trying to convince me that eating brown bread was better than white.

Fucking Jehovis witnesses!!      

Did they ride up the hill to your house on a really old bikes, with a Bible in the front basket?