An amusement arcade aims to slow down critical panic buying in the coronavirus epidemic by making a toilet roll the star reward on its 30p-a-go grabber machine.
At the Chapmans Fundland amusement arcade in Bridlington, East Yorks, founder Eddy Chapman has come up with the perfect plan to stop shoppers in their tracks.
The Maxx Grab machine has replaced the plush toys with washing paper and punters are in line to spend up to 30 pennies.
Mr Chapman 34 said that this was a way of spreading some cheer in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, saying: “I thought all this hysteria of buying toilet rolls was loo-dicrous, so I came up with this idea to hopefully calm people down.
‘ It’s 30p a go and we used the loo paper to replace the plush toys in the machine, it’s not quilted or anything, just bog standard.
‘ What comes to seaside towns like Bridlington is all about is just a bit of fun, I think people need to relax a little and stop buying hysteria. ‘
Last week, the government advised patience as some stores appeared complaining of drug shortages, hand sanitizer, and strange roll of toilets.
Supermarkets have begun rationing goods to purchase a handle on coronavirus hysteria.
They also agreed to restrict the quantity of dry pasta, UHT milk and baked bean tins each customer can buy in a bid to ensure the store has enough supply.
Supermarkets like Tesco have begun rationing rice, baked beans and hand sanitizer per consumer to avoid shelves being robbed in the wake of fears of coronavirus.
The number of cases of coronavirus – or Covid-19 – climbed to 206 on Saturday with more than 20,000 people being tested. A man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s, both suffering from underlying health problems, have died from the disease so far.
Along with the frequently purchased goods, the store has also decided to limit antibacterial gels, wipes, sprays and cold medicine for children, Calpol. Tesco confirmed that on Saturday, shoppers would be limited to five items, adding that they will apply to tomorrow’s online orders.
The announcement comes when shoppers have seen grocery aisles stripped bare throughout the world, with videos emerging from frenzied stockpilers pushing trolleys stacked high with toilet rolls and creating long waiting ques.