HTA seeks to resolve click & collect ‘Catch 22’

The HTA has asked Government to resolve the click & Collect ‘Catch 22’ where garden centres are allowed to provide the service, but people are not allowed to travel to collect non-essential items.

Chairman James Barnes has written to Government saying, “There appears to be an inconsistent approach from local authorities and Trading Standards and a contradiction in the regulations.”

He says that despite Coronavirus legislation allowing garden centres to operate click and collect services many local authorities and Trading Standards have said they cannot, leading to many having to shut down services they are legally entitled to operate.

He points to a contradiction in regulations creating a situation which allows businesses to operate click and collect services while individuals are unable to travel to them as they are allowed only to travel to shop for ‘basic necessities’.

He asks, “I ask that you write immediately to local authorities and Trading Standards to confirm… the regulations allow garden centres and nurseries to operate click and collect services and that you work with the Secretary of State for Health to rectify the contradiction in the regulations.”