Shopper's anger at lack of social distancing in Home Bargains store
A staff member has also spoken out about the situation
Emily White
Updated 10:30, 18 MAY 2020
Shoppers and staff members say that social distancing at a Bassetlaw Home Bargains store has become 'impossible' and difficult to manage.
One staff member and several shoppers have come forward about what they describe as the 'impossible task' of maintaining social distancing within the Home Bargains store in Retford, with one shopper blasting the store's measure as 'inadequate'.
The shopper, who wished to remain anonymous, said that when they visited the store on Sunday, May 10, there was no queue and no sanitising stations at the entrance, with shoppers coming in and out as they pleased.
She said she had felt a little worried and concerned for the safety of both staff and shoppers.
The woman said: "To be honest it was just horrendous.
"I'm trying to keep out of town but there are some things you can't really get anywhere else, so I went in.
"On previous occasions there had been a queue, with staff managing how many people were coming in and out, but this time it was just awful, it was every man for himself.
Home Bargains in Retford on Tuesday, May 12 (Image: Lincolnshire Live)
"There was no queue, people were using both doors to come in and out, there was no hand or basket sanitiser station. To get out of the store you have to squeeze past people who are queuing up at the tills, so there's no chance of maintaining a two metre distance at all.
"People didn't seem bothered about maintaining a distance from each other either. There were staff everywhere stacking shelves, which I understand they have to do, but then people were just crowding around each other.
"If I'm honest I left and had a few tears. I think people here are living in a bubble and don't think it will affect them, but it can.
"I know one 30-year-old who had the virus and it really hit them hard.
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"I understand that to some extent, it's our own responsibility, but when you're in the shop and people are just coming in, you don't really stand a chance.
"I'm lucky because I can leave the store and not come back, but I feel for the poor members of staff."
One staff member, who also wished to remain anonymous, said that the past few weeks had felt as though 'lockdown was over'.
She said: "The amount of people coming into the store in groups of two and three, even groups of five everyday is crazy, but today has felt like Christmas again.
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"We as staff are trying hard to keep safe and well, but this is becoming really difficult.
"It seems the people in Retford think they are immune to the virus and are ignoring the rules."
A spokesperson from Home Bargains said: "All of our stores currently have social distancing measures in place.
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"In our Retford store we have two-metre markings at till points for queuing customers, two metre dots positioned around the store to encourage a safe social distance between shoppers, and two-metre lines outside the store for customers waiting to enter the store, once we reach capacity.
"In addition, all of our tills have Perspex screens installed and our staff control the number of customers in the store at key times."