Shopkeeper takes time off after bread and milk storm
A SHOPKEEPER under fire after being accused of clearing a Tesco’s shelves of milk and bread during the ‘Beast from the East’ storm has taken time off work.
As reported by the Evening Times, Nauman Chaudhry was slammed for allegedly selling the muchsought-after essentials at hugely-inflated prices amid a national shortage.
The sight of Mr Chaudhry, 32, with a loaded trolley at the Greenock Tesco first came to light on Facebook on Sunday.
The post on the page Glasgow’s Miles Better showed Mr Chaudhry – who owns Pick & Save in Dubbs Road, Port Glasgow – read: “Pick n Save Port Glasgow bought all the milk at Greenock Tesco (who shouldn’t have sold them it) then sold it on at inflated prices...wrong yin.”
In just four days, it was shared over 1200 times with opinion over his action divided.
Despite denying accusations he exploited customers during the recent bad weather – by apparently inflating prices to three times the original amount – Mr Chaudhry’s health seems to have taken a hit.
National media has reported he has been forced to take time off “with stress following social media backlash”.
However, speaking with the Evening Times, Mr Chaudhry said his doctor has advised him to take time off after a tough week of working long hours during the cold weather.
A drained Mr Chaudhry said: “I’ve had loads of support from the locals who are grateful I was on hand and open to help during the bad weather.
“I’ve taken some time off after my doctor recommended it because of the long hours I worked in the cold.
“I’m aware of the viral Facebook post, but a lot of other fake, Photoshopped ones have also been circulating, showing me dragging a trolley up a hill or me sitting on one.”
When questioned on the authenticity of the original image showing him at the Tesco checkout, Mr Chaudhry said: “To be honest, there are so many pictures going around it’s been hard to keep track.
“A lot of the people who have commented online aren’t even from Inverclyde. They’ve commented from Glasgow and Dunoon – many of them have never even been to my shop.
“It’s been said I sold milk for £6 and £8. It’s not true. Who on Earth would buy milk at that price?”
He previously told our sister title the Greenock Telegraph: “I bought the milk for 79 pence a pint and I sold it for 99p. I put an extra 20p on because of the trouble I had to get to Greenock that day.
“I have heard of people getting abuse on social media but it’s the first time it has happened to me.
Tesco described the episode at the Greenock store as an “unfortunate incident” and added that it was an isolated one.
A spokesman for Tesco said: “During the recent bad weather the vast majority of our customers behaved commendably.
“We are pleased our stocks are now returning to normal.”