Asda "disappointed" at comments over social distancing measures at Sutton store

Alleged issues over social distancing breaches at a Sutton-in-Ashfield superstore have been refuted as “not reflective” after the local MP reported numerous complaints by constituents.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said that the Priestsic Road Asda was one of the topics he had received the most complaints about as an MP.

He visited Asda, which had been described as “disorganised chaos” as well as superstores in the area including Tesco, Morrisons and Wilko. Unlike Asda, the MP reported that other shops were “run like military operations.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Constituents complaints concerned people standing close together and Mr Anderson said he felt the Government’s coronavirus social distancing rules weren’t being followed, as they were allowing too many people in at one time.

Asda Sutton in Ashfield - GoogleMapsAsda Sutton in Ashfield - GoogleMaps
Asda Sutton in Ashfield - GoogleMaps
Read More
Complaints raised over social distancing at Sutton Asda

He said: “I used to shop there myself, but not anymore.” He said he has reported the store to Trading Standards and contacted the local authority.

Asda has now contacted the Chad saying it was “disappointed” with Mr Anderson’s comments and that after investigations into the store’s handling of social distancing, the views “were not reflective .” They said they are now “reaching out “ to the MP to visit.

A press statement from Asda reads: “In line with current government social distancing guidelines we have implemented a range of methods to ensure the safety of everyone in our stores, including two metre spacing markers and directional arrows, shields at checkouts and a limited number of customers in our stores at one time along with having a two metre queuing system outside.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“To ensure additional safety we have also made masks, hand gel and gloves available for all of our colleagues.

“We were disappointed to hear Mr Anderson’s concerns regarding our Sutton store, but in our own investigations and those of the EHO, the claims made are not reflective of our Sutton store, so we have reached out to Mr Anderson with the offer of visiting our store to demonstrate the policies in place but this offer has not been accepted.”

Mr Anderson said: “I have already visited the store, that along with all the complaints led me to complain.”