Went into town this morning a usual on a Saturday and no shops were open, the only place that was open was Macdonald's. Quite a few other people wandering around as bemused as we were.

So we went to Meadowhall where all the shops were open and it was pretty quiet at 1030.

Seems town centre retailers just can't be bothered.

if you can't have a day of on new years day when can you!

What a sad person.

Just had a walk taking in Bradfield. Guess what? Nothing open, seems they just can't be bothered.

Happy New Year everyone.

I was fast asleep at ten thirty - guess I just couldn't be bothered to get up and shop :P

well its new years day and il be working 3 close in the pub, i mean its not like i worked last night and then went to UG afterwards.

Seriously though, its New Years Day, where do you expext to be open?

Kinda funny that most of us spend the first day of every year doing absoluley nothing. Says something about societey huh?


"start as you mean to go on"

hehe

Originally posted by Greybeard
Went into town this morning a usual on a Saturday and no shops were open, the only place that was open was Macdonald's. Quite a few other people wandering around as bemused as we were.

So we went to Meadowhall where all the shops were open and it was pretty quiet at 1030.

Seems town centre retailers just can't be bothered.

What are you doing shopping on New Years day!?? :confused:

GO TO BED! It's a Holiday mate!:P

Originally posted by Greybeard
Went into town this morning a usual on a Saturday and no shops were open, the only place that was open was Macdonald's. Quite a few other people wandering around as bemused as we were.

So we went to Meadowhall where all the shops were open and it was pretty quiet at 1030.

Seems town centre retailers just can't be bothered.

Well imagine shop workers getting New Year's day off. Amazing. They should be there at our beck and call whenever we want to shop. It's just damn incosiderate.

my boyfriend works in retail and is working today

double time + 25 :D

Ok - I must be confused....today is New Year's Day but because it falls on a Saturday the official public holiday is on Monday - at least that's when all the banks and local & national govt. offices are closed for New Year, so I expected the shops in town to be open.

But my point really is that town centre retailers don't seem prepared to compete with Meadowhall. If the town centre is to remain an attractive alternative then they surely have to ?

As for lying around with my eyes shut - there'll be plenty of time for that when I'm dead :rolleyes:

Cole Brothers is open AFAIK.

Originally posted by Greybeard

But my point really is that town centre retailers don't seem prepared to compete with Meadowhall. If the town centre is to remain an attractive alternative then they surely have to ?
:

That is a good point, and I think it especially applies to bars and restaurants. All of those were shut today as well, which is just stupid - lots of people want to go out for a meal on New Year's day, surely? People with families and people who don't necessarily have a big New Year's Eve do, and people who don't get a lot of opportunity to do so otherwise.

This is also what happens every Sunday in Sheffield! It's unbelievable - if one of the restaurants advertised it was opening on a Sunday lunchtime, they could clean up - there's no competition at all.

Shop workers who complain about having to work on holidays etc. really annoy me.

I work in IT and do not have to work ANY holidays etc. I can also choose exacty when I take my annual leave.

Shop workers know when they take the job what hours/days they will be expected to work.

If you don't like the hours, don't take the job. If you claim you didn't know, then that's your fault for not asking the right questions at the interview.

Today is not a public holiday (though I will stand corrected if I am wrong). Monday is the official day off in lieu of today.

I personally haven't been out of the house today - I slept late and did nothing :-) But had I wanted to go shopping, I would expect the shops to be open, on what is, let's face it, technically just another Saturday.

There will always be people willing to work any day - if a store wanted to open Christmas Day I'm sure they would get people wanting to work. If you don't like the hours then find yourself a job where the hours suit more.

Many (if not all) places will be paying extra for staff to work on the public holidays etc. So stop your complaining. And don't use the "I have a family" excuse. If your family is that important to you take a job more suited to family life.

I want to shop when I want to shop - if the shops aren't open then I take my business to one that is. If nowhere is open then there is always online - where the shops never close.

Retailers should take heed of this - especially in town where they are losing money hand over fist to Meadowhall which is open at hours to suit the public.

Originally posted by keithmdw
Shop workers who complain about having to work on holidays etc. really annoy me.

I work in IT and do not have to work ANY holidays etc. I can also choose exacty when I take my annual leave.

Shop workers know when they take the job what hours/days they will be expected to work.

If you don't like the hours, don't take the job.

Some people dont really have a choice though, you'll find most of the workers who work loads of hours in busy city centre shops are doing it to earn a fairly poor wage anyway.

[/i]I personally haven't been out of the house today - I slept late and did nothing :-) But had I wanted to go shopping, I would expect the shops to be open, on what is, let's face it, technically just another Saturday. [/QUOTE]

The computer network at my place of work is pretty poor and seems to go down every other week - whenever we need IT all we get is answer machines. I dont mean to be rude but personally, I tend to think IT people are pretty much up their own backsides most of the time and expect everyone else to work around them.

A lot of places used to have their big sale on New Years day. However now the sales start on either boxing day or the 27th December.

People like me stay in bed late on new years day. People I know who do get up fairly early go walking in the countryside rather than shopping.

You say Meadowhall was open but quiet. This suggests to me that there is very little custom to be had on new years day, so why bother opening?

As for townie bars I suspect again not enough custom. However I'm sure the more traditional pubs will be open, and have a few people enjoying a relaxed drink in them, and some may even be serving meal. So why not use today as an opportunity to discover some of Sheffield's great little pubs.

Originally posted by Andy C

As for townie bars I suspect again not enough custom. However I'm sure the more traditional pubs will be open, and have a few people enjoying a relaxed drink in them, and some may even be serving meal. So why not use today as an opportunity to discover some of Sheffield's great little pubs.

The Dev Cat was apparently closed. *headdesk* Such a shame! That is exactly the sort of place I'd like to be on a wet New Year's Day!

Originally posted by Lestat
The computer network at my place of work is pretty poor and seems to go down every other week - whenever we need IT all we get is answer machines. I dont mean to be rude but personally, I tend to think IT people are pretty much up their own backsides most of the time and expect everyone else to work around them.

I work when my company works - my company doesn't work Christmas, so neither do I - I would not have taken the job if they did. I am in a position to be picky about the jobs I take, if I were not as fortunate I would have to put up with the terms of the company I worked for.

If for any reason I am not there (including when I am on annual leave) I have the option of dialling in remotely to rectify problems. Maybe your IT support people are useless - don't tar us all with the same brush - most of us work very hard and promptly.

People do work around us - because at the end of the day, when your PC or Network is down (for whatever reason) you don't have a choice - we do our best. If your company has in-house staff (like mine does) then problems get dealt with quickly - if you outsource then you wait for a resolution based on their time-frames.

I'm not going to get into an argument about IT - but if your network is up and down like a yo-yo, it was ether installed poorly or is used poorly.

Originally posted by Greybeard
Went into town this morning a usual on a Saturday and no shops were open......So we went to Meadowhall where all the shops were open and it was pretty quiet at 1030.
So let me guess... you were in town at 9.30ish and left before 10? Which seems to be the time that both meadowhall and town shops both opened?

Ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Or perhaps you're just one of those arrogant people who expect the rest of the world to be at your beck and call? What has been your contribution to society today? Did you remember to do a good deed or do you just expect 'them' (totally abstract concept) to pander to you?

Originally posted by Elyndys
The Dev Cat was apparently closed. *headdesk* Such a shame! That is exactly the sort of place I'd like to be on a wet New Year's Day!

Bloomin eck..... what has the world come to... maybe it might open in the evening?

Wonder if the Red Deer opened - real ale, fire etc etc.

Anyway, think I will stay local tonight anyway...

This kind of attitude really annoys me to be honest.

I work in retail, not because I WANT to but because I HAVE to. Over Christmas I've had to work Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Bank Holiday Monday, New Years Eve and today (New Years Day) not including all the "Non-Bank Holiday" days in between. What kind of Christmas do you think I've had? Thinking on Christmas day and New Years Eve "Can't drink too much and have to have an early night because I've got to work tomorrow" I hardly get to spend time with my family and all I get are arrogant abusive customers - Usually the same people who have had a nice 2 week break over the festive season.

Lovely.

Originally posted by Virus
This kind of attitude really annoys me to be honest.

I work in retail, not because I WANT to but because I HAVE to. Over Christmas I've had to work Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Bank Holiday Monday, New Years Eve and today (New Years Day) not including all the "Non-Bank Holiday" days in between. What kind of Christmas do you think I've had? Thinking on Christmas day and New Years Eve "Can't drink too much and have to have an early night because I've got to work tomorrow" I hardly get to spend time with my family and all I get are arrogant abusive customers - Usually the same people who have had a nice 2 week break over the festive season.

Lovely.

Well said.

Retail staff often work very long hours for low pay and usually accept this as it is part of there job.

But to say they should work at any time 365 days a year is to say the least a little harsh.

These people still have famalies and why should they not have the right to spend some of the holidays at home.

Luckily a lot of companys are now starting to appreciate that this is the case and are being more flexable about the hours offered and will often work around school times ect.

As a footnote I worked boxind day and only had today off this week and the attitude of most customers was extremly good with most appreciating that you had given up a day with your family to serve them.

BTW we did not get a penny over normal rate on boxing day (26th) as it was not a bank holiday.

Retail staff often work very long hours for low pay and usually accept this as it is part of there job.

But to say they should work at any time 365 days a year is to say the least a little harsh.

I'm not saying each shop worker should work every day at all hours - of course not. They are entitled to reasonable annual leave like everyone else.

I am also not saying that those who work them should not be compensated by way of higher salary on those days or other benefits.

There are however, I'm sure, a lot of people (with and without families) who would happily work the holiday days. Some people just don't celebrate Christmas/New Year.

Originally posted by keithmdw
I'm not saying each shop worker should work every day at all hours - of course not. They are entitled to reasonable annual leave like everyone else. That's why zero hour contracts were invented.

'We pay you when we want you, you can't work if we say so', so refusing to work if you're asked to (coz the flippin shop is open) is not too bright an idea.

Shops don't tend to have surplus staff in excess of their 'planned man hours' because they cost money to keep on the books - it's not just their wages that cost a company money.

Originally posted by keithmdw

There are however, I'm sure, a lot of people (with and without families) who would happily work the holiday days. Some people just don't celebrate Christmas/New Year.

I think you will find that if a genuine choice were given to retail staff whether they wanted to work on say Boxing day sure you would find some who gladly would many would prefer to have the day off.

However as it is one of the most busy days of the year,you need nearly every member of staff in and even then you still get ques as can be seen in Meadowhall for example.

You are very lucky that the trade you work in allows you to have all holidays off and pick which hours you work.

People who work in retail (and many other jobs for that matter) do not have that luxury and will often work days they would rather have off because they appreciate that that is what the business requires and I think they do deserve some credit for making that sacrifice.

To those of you who are using shops, bars and restaurants over the festive period please do spare a thought for those of us who have to work. All too often at this time of year I find the public lacks understanding or takes their holiday stress out on those who are serving them.

Typical example, I'm a restauranteur and have had people kicking off because I dare to have a wait on tables when there are empty seats. Well guess what, my staff DO get time off over Christmas so, what with flu as well, we aren't fully staffed all the time. So you either wait or you go somewhere else but please don't give me your attitude. It's not my fault you're fed up with having your kids off school. Shouldn't have had them if you don't like spending time with them.

Erm, rant over, sorry!

The computer network at my place of work is pretty poor and seems to go down every other week - whenever we need IT all we get is answer machines. I dont mean to be rude but personally, I tend to think IT people are pretty much up their own backsides most of the time and expect everyone else to work around them.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, mate. I'll be honest; most IT professionals would love to come and help you out. They really would. There's nothing more annoying to a network engineer than for a network to fall over and he can't do anything about it.

The people you wanna be moaning at is the managers of many IT services firms (not all firms, but most). Run their own grandma over if they could get a fiver out of it...

I work in IT too - I'm happy to work all the bank holidays - usually quiet days and you get to choose when you have your time off - preferably when the weather's better - ie never on a bank holiday.

Will the town centre be open on Bank Holiday Monday (3rd) and is there any public transport provision that day.

Buses, trains and trams are all running on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd January, generally to either a Saturday or Sunday timetable, depending on which bus company you use.

For details:

First bus: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/yorkhumber/southyorkshire/home/index.php

Stagecoach bus: http://www.stagecoachbus.com/chesterfield/index_html/index_html

Stagecoach tram: http://www.supertram.com

Trains (all operators): www.nationalrail.co.uk

Other operators:
Derbyshire: www.derbysbus.net
South Yorkshire: www.sypte.co.uk

As for shops I guess they will be trading on Sunday hours, but not totally sure. Meadowhall returns to normal opening hours on Monday according to their website.

Thank You to all The emergency Services, Doctors and Nurses

In case You lot haven't noticed they are there 24/7 all year no matter what day,Never heard any of them harping on about how unselfish they are being there, while their families sit a home !!!

If ya all fancy a walk on bank holidays try a park, then these poor shop assistants can stay home

Originally posted by Virus
This kind of attitude really annoys me to be honest.

I work in retail, not because I WANT to but because I HAVE to. Over Christmas I've had to work Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Bank Holiday Monday, New Years Eve and today (New Years Day) not including all the "Non-Bank Holiday" days in between. What kind of Christmas do you think I've had? Thinking on Christmas day and New Years Eve "Can't drink too much and have to have an early night because I've got to work tomorrow" I hardly get to spend time with my family and all I get are arrogant abusive customers - Usually the same people who have had a nice 2 week break over the festive season.

Lovely.

I've been very fortunate this year. I too work in retail and as i'm only up here for university, thought my chances of getting any time off over xmas were slim-to-none. So, two months in advance, I gave them the worst case scenario for what i couldnt work, and they bettered it! I said I could work til xmas eve, but I finished on the 22nd or something instead and started back today!

Originally posted by dinp
I've been very fortunate this year. I too work in retail and as i'm only up here for university, thought my chances of getting any time off over xmas were slim-to-none. So, two months in advance, I gave them the worst case scenario for what i couldnt work, and they bettered it! I said I could work til xmas eve, but I finished on the 22nd or something instead and started back today!

As a student, shouldn't you just skive indiscrimintly?

I used to play dumb, and not turn up to work by saying, "Oh I'm sorry, I thought it was my day off."

Or at the very least pretend you have sickness and diahorrea. NO-ONE ever asks about that!

Originally posted by Miss
As a student, shouldn't you just skive indiscrimintly?

Probably, yes!! :hihi:

I dunno why I just seem to have a problem with wasting my day and being on a lead ship of debt like most students are :D

Originally posted by dinp

I dunno why I just seem to have a problem with wasting my day and being on a lead ship of debt like most students are :D

But if you do it properly, you still get paid...