OR  “an everyday tale of navigating HM Gov guidance without falling through the trapdoor of popular misconception”.

Could it be true?  Bahnstormer’s email claimed it wanted to give me £100 to trade-in my ageing C3 if I bought a new System 7 from them? Well obviously, this was an opportunity to help my wife out. This would remove all the stress and worry from her in choosing my Christmas present this year (hopefully). Another motivation was to save Dave Tomlinson from the deep embarrassment he felt every time I turned up for an OMR . . . . . sporting a deep orange KTM ‘Ready to Race’ embossed helmet.

Big problem though. Bahnstormer was open but not their sales and parts departments following government regulation. And, I have never bought a helmet by mail order as I was stamped out with an irregular shaped head! Which could lead to lots of returns. But good news when choosing a delivery method. I could ‘click-and-collect’ from the Alton branch. My dilemma was, would this be allowed 5 days after the introduction of the latest lockdown?

Time to consult the 19 pages of:

To my joy I discovered that:

Section 1 -Essential activities stated – “I could leave home to collect any item ordered through click-and-collect from a retailer that was open”.

Section 4 – Businesses and venues which must close stated – “Non-essential retail (examples given). These venues can continue to be able to operate click-and-collect and delivery services”.

Section 11 – Travel stated – “However you can and should still travel for a number of reasons including > to buy goods or services from premises that are open”.

With much relief I selected ‘click-and-collect’. Tuesday dawned mild and dry as I set off at a gentle pace on the RT to Alton. A light lunch was enjoyed during my visit to the open public space alongside the Assembly Rooms. The lovely Italian coffee shop opposite is highly recommended.

Excellent service provided by Adam in the Parts Dept. But calamity, I was unable to shrink my head into the XXL System 7 ordered! Undaunted, Adam tracked down the only XXXL in the country and promised it for delivery next day. Oh bother. . . . . .  I would have to ride to Alton a 2^nd time to pick up my click-and-collect purchase. Knowing that BoJo is keen that we support struggling businesses (at the same time following HANDS – FACE – SPACE advice), I agreed to return.

So dear reader, I am pleased to report that I am now (well from 25^th December) the proud owner of a huge System 7 helmet!

 

 

I was impressed that Bahnstormer were so rigorous in enforcing Covid-safe practices at their premises. Equally I was reassured that government guidance promoted safe social contact without completely crippling the business community.

 

Safe riding.