Customer fury as owner cuts garden centre hours
SOME THREATEN BOYCOTT AS MOVE IS BLAMED ON MINIMUM WAGE RISE
A GARDEN centre owner has sparked outrage after informing customers he has reduced hours due to an increase in the minimum wage.
Jon Walker who runs Colne Valley Garden Centre in Scar Lane, Golcar, explained to customers in a Facebook post that the centre would be reopening on Wednesday.
In 2019 former Chancellor Sajid Javid announced there would be an increase in the National Minimum Wage from £8.21 to £8.72 an hour with the increases due to come into force last month.
The increase in minimum wage will deliver an extra £930 a year into the pockets of almost three million who earn it.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the changes would come into effect from April 1 and outlined future plans for basic-rate workers.
Mr Walker wrote: “We will be opening from 9-5 from Wednesday (10-4 Sundays). Reduced hours were ‘pre-planted’ and are due to increased minimum wage rather than coronavirus.”
His message drew an immediate and angry response from customers with some saying they would not be visiting it in future.
A female pensioner reflected the mood of many when she wrote: “I’m really happy that you are opening again..and sorry that I feel compelled to say this - I’d be happier if you put your prices up by 10% and allowed your employees to benefit from the rise in minimum wage, rather than cutting hours to evade it.
“If we are all too tight to pay a little more so that local, minimum wage workers can have their legal rights then we are a very sad community.
“I think you misjudge your customers.”
And another woman wrote: “I definitely won’t be coming again! A shame really as me and my children enjoyed visiting.
“Would spend a fair bit as well. But if you can’t look after your staff why should the community look after you?”
Mr Walker has not responded to a request for comment from YorkshireLive but has been vocal in responding to customers’ comments.
Replying to one he said: “I’m not knocking the staff. It’s just that we really can’t afford to pay more.”