Forum Topic

Sainsbury's Richmond.

Had a bad experience with my other half yesterday, we went to the large Sainsbury's by Manor Lane, as a very large car park and you can keep away from everybody and large aisles. We didn't need meat as I had already got a bit in Putney in the week. The security man on the door at Richmond said you can't go in together well we didn't know this, so I tried to explain I am unable to carry anything heavy, as we needed water and a large box of cat food. I said well can he walk 6 feet away from me, so he let us in, there wasn't a queue we walked nearly straight in. Then he said if I see you near each other in the shop you will both have to leave. Well we got halfway  round he saw my other half put something in the trolley, obviously from near the door he must have a screen. He told us to leave our shopping, by this time wasn't much. I said if I leave can my other half continue, after explaining I am unable to lift water etc. Anyway he did let him (he was a somalian but you could not understand what he was saying.) Anyway I left but went to the help desk and said he was aggressive and the young lady got the manager. Who said couldn't I have written a list for my other half. I said I didn't know only one person was allowed to go shopping. Anyway as my other half had finished I was about to leave I said perhaps your  staff should practice the same distancing as they keep flying past us and not keeping a distance and that was true. This story went on a lot longer with what he said and I said and I'm bored now. So try and enjoy your Easter everybody.x

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d34 Comments

Well I'm afraid Sainsbury's in Putney could not believe how we had been treated and told me to complain to Head Office. Well I got back on to Richmond and got another Manager and told him the story. He said he was working in there on Saturday and was looking at the Security Guard at that moment and said he should not have acted the way he did and was going to contact the Security Company about him.

Barbara Stevens ● 2247d

Yes, Ed and Bunny, well put. Didn't catch his name but there was (I think) an ex WHO expert saying that even when we return to some sort of normality individuals' behaviour and societies attitudes, amenities, practices might have to change indefinitely as they did after cholera and HIV emerged as threats to humans.

Michael Ixer ● 2248d

Very well said, Bunny

Jane Carter ● 2248d

Very diplomatically put Ed.  The bottom line is that we ALL have to understand that our lives and lifestyles have to change radically over the next weeks/months/year.  We're all in it together and we need to pull together (not literally) to help.

Bunny Payne ● 2248d

FGS I did not mention you. Read Andy's and  Ed's explanation as to why 2 people together could endanger others and stop throwing personal insults. Thankyou

Jane Carter ● 2248d

Also two get round the large shop quicker than one.  One getting food the other getting soap etc. Even if it is thrown in one trolley.

Barbara Stevens ● 2248d

It's not just blocking the isles, two people doubles the chance of passing on or picking up the virus. That includes shoppers and staff.Keeping a distance will help but there are other surfaces people come into contact with. Plus the distance rule is only reduces the risk. We don't know this virus behaves in a supermarket with aircon etc.Reports also seem to suggest the outcome for men is far worse than women.It is sad that this may mean a change for couples that like to shop together. But worth trying for a few weeks until more information is available.

Ed Robinson ● 2248d

Well Jane if I have just spent 9hrs in bed with my other half he would have caught it by now. If you haven't been to the Sainsbury's in Richmond don't judge me. Get your husband out with his camera.

Barbara Stevens ● 2248d

On the contrary,  Andy gave a perfectly polite and coherent explanation of why two people should not walk side by side in the supermarket.

Jane Carter ● 2248d

Andy my other half was happy to leave the small amount of shopping and leave. The Security Guard had already said if  we made contact in the shop we would both have too leave. But what about the Security guard with his mask, you could only see his eye's and couldn't hear a thing he said and waving his arms in the air at us he had come with the 2metre range.  The Manager didn't have a mask or the other security guard at the door who looked very smart. Andy even with what you say you only got one side of the conversation, it appears to me you wind people up to get a response. Well doesn't push my buttons sorry to say.

Barbara Stevens ● 2248d

On our last trip to Sainsbury’s my wife did the rounds but I was allowed in to help lug the stuff out to the car.  The security guys out front are unfailingly polite and smiley. But it does help to offer a smile of your own.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2248d

I'll avoid Waitrose for now then

Andy Pike ● 2248d

"Waitrose in Putney are still allowing couples to come in."Do they check their level of intimacy?

David Ainsworth ● 2248d

Waitrose in Putney are still allowing couples to come in.

Gabrielle O'Mahoney ● 2248d

I think you're missing the point Francis. Most of the big supmkts now have this single shopper rule to try and reduce the risk of couples or in some instances the whole extended family blocking the aisles and causing the rest of us to be at risk. It makes absolutely perfect good sense . We could all no doubt find reasons to be an exception just like those younger folk who try and make a special case to be allowed in during the NHS or elderly time slots. And of course we only have one side of how this conversation went.

Andy Pike ● 2248d

It makes no sense for him to tell you you had to stay six feet apart when you are from the same household. He seems to be making the rules up as he goes along.

Frances Clarke ● 2248d

Barbara, if you need help, I can put you in touch … keep safe and Happy Easter!! xx

Bunny Payne ● 2249d

Well don't stroke it as you may get the virus off it.  The Council have been putting flyers through our doors for weeks, if you need help you can call one of their numbers.But I reiterate, there is no need for two people to go shopping together, ie, one extra person to dodge in the shop.

Bunny Payne ● 2249d

Bunny a neighbour in my road couldn't get any help and she's 80. Has to go to Sainsbury's in Putney herself. She rang her Surgery and they said your not on the list and she's a diabetic. Another neighbour who has had chemo her first deliver was 3 items, after she paid about £100. Also I have had no trouble in Putney Sainsbury's or Dyers Lane and they are much smaller shops. People had children going in and the Security guard also tried to stop them.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Yes Lucille, I'm afraid anything comes near me I feed it. I even put some cat biscuits and water for the little black stray. It had it's head right in the bin bag 8o/c this morning I could hear it. So I went and talked to it,  just sat looking at me. When I went near it, it ran in next doors front garden.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Barbara, to be honest I don't know why you are surprised.  The Govt has been asking only one person from each household to do the shopping for some time now.  All family have been doing this for ages and washing down the shopping when they get home.If everyone had a second person with them, it would double the number of people in the shop.  Not having a go, but it makes sense.  If anyone had difficulties in collecting or carrying shopping, then they should contact Sainsbury and they will help you.

Bunny Payne ● 2249d

My daughter  seems  prepared to pay the extra as she can't carry heavy loads either and  doesn't drive! MInd you she'll pay anything as long as Gertie has  all she needs lol x

Lucille Grant ● 2249d

Lucille just looked online, £13.49, for a box of 40. Only £9.90 in Sainsbury's large store.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Lucille, I agree, but we didn't know as not going out much lately apart from going to Dyers Lane, that Sainsbury's stopped couples going in the shop together.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Barbara even when not under  lockdown I would recommend  getting  your cat food online as we do, usually from Pets at Home.

Lucille Grant ● 2249d

Guess the security staff are only doing what they've been instructed. Before lockdown I gave my other half  one list and I shopped from another. It saves time!

Lucille Grant ● 2249d

Johnathan I usually do, but I can only get so much in my trolly. But have not been going out so much as I don't know if I was meant too.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Yes Andy you did need too know, as he was rather frightening, my other half wanted to walk out and leave our shopping in the trolley. The only reason we went to the larger Sainsbury's is because you can buy a large box of cat food (40) sachets so it works out cheaper. Otherwise you can only get box of 12 in Putney. We also buy 2 lots of bottled water which I am unable to carry, and a large Daz.  After all that as he then had to do the shopping on his own we had no cat food or Daz or Zoflora. I'm nearly 70 this year I used to be able to do everything but my R/Arthritis will make my shoulder's hurt. Anyway he was then running in the door as we left chasing other customers, then I could see the manager going to say something to him. If he had a stick he would probably have hit them with it.

Barbara Stevens ● 2249d

Did we need to know his supposed nationality ??

Andy Pike ● 2249d

Sounds like it may be the wide aisles in Richmond. The Waitrose down towards Wimbledon has decent space. And frozen cherries (well, when I went).

David Ainsworth ● 2249d

I can only speak for the mini-Sainsbury's on the Upper Richmond Road close to East Putney Station, they are extremely helpful and whenever I have been in there have offered excellent service.

Leslie McDonnell ● 2249d

What’s wrong with Putney Sainsbury’s?  You can walk there if you live close enough.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2249d

The number of people shopping under remote control from home HQ was noticeable even before the current nastiness.

David Ainsworth ● 2249d

I believe Waitrose and Tesco have also banded shopping together.I foresee couple trouble as items are left of the list or the wrong things are selected or worse the half of the couple in the shop is turned into a human Chernobyl robot directed remotely by Soviet leader outside :)

Ed Robinson ● 2249d