Farm shops have lost custom with their rules

LIKE a lot of other couples, we have tried to support small and local outlets for our shopping as well as picking up shopping for a few others.

Several weeks ago, we decided to go to a fairly local farm shop where, unlike at the start of the lockdown, the queue was quite short. As we both arrived at the door, we were informed we could not go in as a couple.

We did explain one of us had recently undergone major surgery and did not want to lift items but during the explanation felt that maybe it sounded a liitle like a made-up story.

We were told they have to look after their staff. We appreciate that, as do the large supermarkets.

We explained we would go elsewhere but were then reluctantly told we could go in but “we may talk”.

We did go in but by then felt we shouldn’t be there so grabbed a loaf and paid and went.

On exit we did notice the trouble the place had gone to in ensuring the staff at the tills were safe, almost in a plastic bubble.

Relaying this story to a friend, we were informed of another farm shop which was further away but you could shop as a couple.

We went to this place, where again the queue was short, and were told at the door only one member from each household was allowed in. As we were on this occasion shopping for a key worker as well as ourselves, we went to a small supermarket where we spent quite a lot of money which could have been in their tills.

We did send an e-mail to the latter farm shop asking about temporary or invisible disabilities, to which their reply included: “We make exemptions for single parents with young children or anyone who needs the assistance of a carer.

“Unfortunately, other circumstances do not affect our one person policy.”

They also added: “Our one person policy has been in place for eight weeks and it will continue to be in place for the foreseeable future following government guidelines.”

So that told us. We are obviously aware of them following the guidelines of social distancing and have looked at websites of garden centres centres and farm shops and see that some do state two people are welcome so assume that each business makes that choice.

Therefore, temporary or invisible disabilities would be hard to prove. It could just be seen as an excuse to enter as a couple.

We have noticed from other comments on social media that other couples have had similar experiences and those “in the know” will queue up separately.

One thing about shopping at a farm shop is that it is not always a place where you go with a list, it is a place where you see different local produce and may decide what to buy when you are inside so going in as a couple you can choose together.

We appreciate these are difficult times but have now given up with local and gone slightly further afield, just over the Northampton border to Smiths farm shop, which has the added bonus of a speciality takeaway coffee facility. Worth the trip out!

We also hope that those two fairly local farm shops can afford to turn two people shopping together away in the future as more shops open.

Bill and Linda Boulter, Wigston