Store and MP refute claims social distancing rules were flouted at Sutton B&Q

The move, by B&Q and the Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, comes after a picture was widely circulated on social media claiming customers at the Mansfield Road, store were standing too closely together on Saturday.

According to a spokesperson for the giant home and gardens store, they have investigated the claims but says the picture was taken from a “misleading angle.”

The post on Facebook has since been removed.

The Ashfield MP Lee Anderson praised the staff of the store saying it had handled the trial opening properly.

A B&Q spokesperson said: "As an essential retailer, we’ve watched other essential retailers support social distancing in their stores and we’re now in a position to follow best practice while keeping our colleagues and customers safe. Our Sutton in Ashfield store is one of 14 stores opened as a trial. "Similar to shopping at a supermarket, we’ve introduced social distancing controls at these re-opened stores. We’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time, and so customers may need to queue before entering the store.

“We have two metre floor markers throughout these stores to help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space, and have also installed perspex screens at the checkouts. "We are aware of a photo circulating on social media of our Sutton in Ashfield store; the angle that this photo was taken from is misleading. We are pleased to report that customers are adhering to our social distancing guidelines, helping us to offer a shopping environment that is safe for customers and our colleagues. She added: "We’re urging all customers to follow the Government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only for what is necessary."

The Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said: “After being made aware of the pictures online I contacted B&Q in Sutton who came back to me with the pictures attached to show the measures they are taking. The pictures show safe distancing and all of us have a responsibility to make sure we are safe and people around us are.”