Store chain in apology to homeless charity

A MAJOR hardware store has apologised to a Glasgow homeless charity after preventing organisers from buying timber to store emergency sleeping pods.

Homeless Project Scotland had intended to purchase two sheets of shelving board from the Parkhead B&Q, which would have allowed the organisation facilitate a distribution system for 90 pods.

After asking staff to cut the wood into eight pieces, the volunteers were refused the sale on the basis that the chain currently only allows four cuts per transaction.

Homeless Project Scotland chairman, Colin McInnes said: “We told them we weren’t together and that we wanted them in two separate transactions. Our purchase was then declined and we were told we weren’t going to get the cuts of timber.

“I was very disheartened and sad that we were unable to sort our sleeping pods. We’re now unable to even store them for distribution, so it has set us back a lot. I’m angry that B&Q hasn’t trained staff to know what two separate customers and transactions are.”

The sleeping pods, provided by Sleep Pod, are similar to a light tent insulated with silver lining. The charity has described the emergency sleeping aid as a “lifesaver” for the homeless.

A B&Q spokeswoman said: “We would like to apologise that on this occasion the customer did not receive the level of service we pride ourselves on. The store manager has been in touch with the customer directly to see how we can help.”