specialized Christmas tree Vendors, farms and stalls were allowed to reopen sales doors in England this weekend, following the change of government Closing rules To reclassify them as “primary” retailers.
While supermarkets and Garden centers They were selling recently harvested trees because they were considered essential works, were forced sellers “small farms” smaller to close their doors because of the restrictions that lasted for a month.
British birthday Tree Growers Association has been pushing for change to support the UK’s fresh tree sector, noting that sales tend to take place outdoors where social distancing is easier.
Many of its members offer pre-booked appointments or even webcam facilities to allow shoppers to pick their own trees, with “click-and-receive” and other delivery services rolling out in the run-up to Christmas.
The organization has more than 320 members who sell nearly 8 million trees each year, along with fresh and bouquet wreaths, at prices generally lower than garden centers.
“We got the news of the turnover at eleven o’clock Friday night and it reopened on Saturday morning, completely inside Covid-safe conditions,” said David Whitehead, co-owner of the Canalside Christmas Trees of Wootton Rivers, near Marlborough, Wiltshire.
“The atmosphere throughout the weekend was so mesmerizing – people are so happy to be outdoors and enjoy the festive spirit. We have five acres full of trees and have sold 200 so far this weekend.”
Last week, turkey farmers received a similar boost before Christmas after the government informed them that thousands of seasonal workers coming to the UK from Europe to help slaughter and pick birds for festive tables were exempt from a 14-day quarantine.
British Poultry Council (BPC) was Demand an urgent Covid-related travel waiver Restrictions To avoid a shortage of highly skilled butchers and turkeys, which he said could have caused a collapse in supplies this year. It warns that about 9 million British turkeys are raised at Christmas every year, but that the seasonal sector cannot survive without non-British labor.
The waiver will cover about 5,500 seasonal workers who typically travel from Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia – usually on two-month contracts – to assist with the slaughter, plucking and preparation of birds destined for Christmas dinners in the UK.
Welcoming the move, the BPC said: “If the waiver helps us deliver a wonderful birthday and helps our younger seasonal producers, then it would be a good thing.”
