MP slams ‘shocking’ Covid safety at Asda
BUT SUPERMARKET SAYS: ‘WE’VE HAD NO COMPLAINTS’
AN MP has called out a supermarket in his constituency over an alleged “flagrant disregard for public health” after receiving reports of a “lack of social distancing”.
Lee Anderson, Conservative MP for Ashfield, says he has been “bombarded” with complaints about the Asda in Sutton-inAshfield.
He has written to the supermarket’s regional office to call for action, and says Asda has a responsibility to “set an example” and to “play their part”.
He said: “There’s no one-way system, it’s packed, the checkouts are grounded and the staff are in the aisles stacking the shelves up, bumping into people.
“I’ve been on to the Asda regional office about this numerous times, I’ve told them that I’ve been in myself and that it’s absolutely shocking. It’s a flagrant disregard for public health and Asda should be ashamed.
“Compared to the other supermarkets like Morrisons and Tesco, which are like welloiled machines, Asda is a free for all.
“On Wednesday we’re going into Tier Three and I’m fighting to get us down the tiers, but places like Asda aren’t playing their part.
“They have a responsibility to people in Ashfield to play their part, to set an example.
“So they need to lead by example, and at the moment they are failing the people of Ashfield.
“It looks like, again, it’s profits before people.”
When our reporter visited yesterday, there was no one-way system but there were crowds in popular aisles. There were also long queues at checkouts, and for the in-house Post Office.
Some customers also expressed concerns. Ricky Wakefield, 42, from the town’s Leamington estate, said: “It was as bad today as I’ve ever seen it. I tried to get past the Christmas section and to get to the rest of the store, but there were a lot of people with trolleys stopping you getting past.
“It looked like any normal Christmas period – there wasn’t anything to suggest we were in the middle of a lockdown.”
But in a statement, Asda said: “We dispute Mr Anderson’s claims and have not received any complaints from customers or colleagues about the issues he has raised. “Throughout the pandemic we have strictly monitored occupancy levels in all our stores to help customers maintain social distancing and at no point has the Sutton in Ashfield store been near full capacity. “Additionally we have extensive measures such as Covid marshals, protective screens, social distancing signage and numerous hand sanitiser stations.
“Our customers can rest assured that we continue to follow all Government guidance.” Councillor David Hennigan, of Ashfield District Council, also defended the supermarket, saying: “It’s a bit of an insult to our hardworking staff at the store to suggest they are not taking their social distancing responsibilities seriously.”
Asda is a free for all. It’s a flagrant disregard for public health and Asda should be ashamed Lee Anderson