Schoolgirl’s letter to Tesco manager is hailed by MP
NICOLA FINDLAY
A schoolgirl who took supermarket bosses to task over job losses has been recognised by the House of Commons for her kind gesture.
And several weeks after handing in a letter to the St Leonards Tesco Metro store she has finally received a response back from its manager.
Blacklaw Primary pupil Heather Shanks was so upset that one of her favourite members of staff in the bakery and others were being made redundant due to operational changes at Metro stores across the country, she felt she had to do something.
After writing the letter at the beginning of the month with no response Heather and proud mum Hannah were astounded when she received not only a response from the store manager but a letter from MP Dr Lisa Cameron – hand delivered to her school – praising her efforts.
The nine-year-old was so taken aback she wouldn’t even open the letter from the Commons till she got home.
“It was such a big surprise when the letter from Dr Cameron came to the school and was handed to me in class”, she told the News.
“I really didn’t know what to think – I was a wee bit scared in case I was in trouble so I put it in my bag and opened it up with my grandad later. I was very surprised when I finally realised who it was from but happy.”
Heather added: “When we didn’t hear anything back from Tesco at first I didn’t think I would so it was really nice to get a response, even if it took some time.
“I was just really sad that some of the staff were losing their jobs as they are all lovely and I wanted to do something to show how much I cared so thought the letter was a nice idea and my mum agreed.”
The family have now framed the Commons letter and mum Hannah said: “We are all so proud of Heather for showing such compassion and delighted she has finally got a response from Tesco – it’s only right as she did this off her own back.
“But the letter from Dr Lisa Cameron MP came as a complete surprise to us all.
“As a parent you want to bring up your children to stand up for what they believe in and we couldn’t be happier for Heather.
“She is such a kind wee girl and a deep thinker for such a young age.”
In her letter Dr Cameron writes to Heather: “I am glad that you have expressed your opinion to Tesco and youth engagement like this makes our constituency stronger and protects jobs and livelihoods. Well done!”
In her original letter to Tesco Heather said it was “so unfair that so many people are losing their jobs” and that all of the staff are “so kind and helpful”.
In responding, the store manager, John Dobbin, said: “Thank you for taking the time to write and letting us know how you feel.
“I agree with you that our staff are at the heart and soul of our business.”
But he adds: “Unfortunately due to the changing retail environment and changing shopping habits of our customers, we have had to adapt how some of our Metro stores are run.
“I would be very happy to meet and talk things through further with you and your parents when you are back in store.”