Tesco in rule breach warning
STORE TOLD IT WAS ‘GOING AGAINST SPIRIT OF LAW’ BY SELLING NON-ESSENTIAL ITEMS
TESCO Extra in Osterley has been warned its actions “go against the spirit of the law” as it was served a prohibition notice by Hounslow Council for an alleged coronavirus rule breach.
Hounslow Council leader Steve Curran announced the store had been visited by officers, who found the superstore was selling nonessential items.
In a statement, he said an inspection found essential items such as food and toiletries were available on the ground floor, but that it also had its non-essential goods, such as clothes, open for shoppers to buy on the first floor.
It means the retail giant’s branch will have to stop selling its nonessential products, but Tesco is appealing the decision and said it is complying with government rules.
According to government guidance on mixed retail, a business selling a “significant amount” of essential retail, may also continue to sell goods typically sold at non-essential retail stores.
It added: “For example, a supermarket that sells food is not required to close off or cordon off aisles selling homeware.”
However, Cllr Curran said: “At a time when Hounslow has among the highest levels of Covid-19 in London, it is vital we continue to take action to protect public health wherever we find concerns.
“In this case, because government guidance advises that where areas selling essential goods are separate to those selling non-essential goods, access to the non-essential goods should be restricted, we have required the shop to restrict sale of non-essential goods on the first floor of the superstore.
“Our view is that Tesco’s actions go against the spirit of the law in allowing shoppers to shop for the non-essential goods. We recognise that Tesco is a responsible retailer and would have hoped to see them working in line with government guidance, not in opposition to it.”
He also told residents: “We would ask Hounslow’s residents to undertake only essential shopping. Browsing clothes is not essential. Please stay at Home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority. We believe that our Osterley Extra store complies with the Government’s rules on Covid-19 measures and we were disappointed to receive this notice, which we are appealing.”