Winter shopkeeping in a global pandemic

Since the shop reopened in June we have needed to do at least a mental risk assessment as sole traders on how we will operate the shop on our own shifts.

This has been a developing process as things change but a key factor going into winter beyond signs, masks, hand sanitiser is ventilation. The shop I co-tenant has a tiled floor which is delightfully cool on hot summer days. In fact for most of this year I have the back window open to provide a through breeze. Today that meant it would be much cooler. I have a small heater that I have had in the shop but rarely used as it can’t beat the ventilation effect.

For the last three years my shopkeeping duties in December has mostly been in a pop up shop in a beach hut so my normal attire of shorts and sandals are insufficient where you spend most of the day sat or stood still.

As the above picture shows it can be bleak and this reflected today’s conditions too.

So to stay healthy and happy. A kettle and make yourself a number of hot drinks throughout the day. A hat will help your head cool down less – even a decorated pith helmet works !! Layers of clothing are needed. Thermals, walking socks, in my case supports then hand decorated overalls and several top layers plus sweatshirts and coats in case it gets really cold. This has also been the case for duties at the Purbeck Artisan Yard for the last 2 winters too.

I did keep warm today, I got to enjoy seeing friends and meeting new visitors to our shop and when it was raining I was able to offer shelter from the rain too.

How do you dress to be a winter shopkeeper or shopper come to that?

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