Ashfield MP hits out over 'lack of regard' for social distancing at Sutton supermarket

Asda on Priestic Road is again at the centre of conflict after Ashfield’s MP said he was ‘bombarded’ with complaints from residents and staff.

The store hit back saying it had not received any complaints and had put ‘extensive’ measures in place including screens, Covid 19 marshals and sanitisers.

In April, the Chad reported how MP Lee Anderson had written to Asda officials after he said he had received ‘scores’ of complaints. He visited the store to see for himself.

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And now, Mr Anderson said a ‘lack’ of social distancing was again “causing concern” with busy aisles, no one way system, people moving in every direction with ‘disregard’ for anyone around them, customers reaching over people and sanitiser station ‘often empty.’

In a letter to Andy Clarke, Asda regional manager, the MP wrote: “Once again I am being bombarded with messages from constituents that are fed up with the lack of regard for covid safety in your store in Sutton in Ashfield.

"The complaints are coming from customers and staff alike. May I remind you that in Ashfield we will probably be placed in the highest tier of restrictions on Wednesday, and residents and business owners are doing their very best to ensure we get the infection rates down as quickly as possible so we can open up more of the local economy.

"I feel that in the past you have paid lip service to my concerns, especially after I visited the store myself to see first-hand the chaos in this store. This situation cannot carry on and Asda owe it the residents of Ashfield to play their part in the fight against Covid.”

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An Asda spokesperson 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.’’