Tesco has reopened departments selling “nonessential” items in its stores after receiving criticism from shoppers.
The supermarket chain has cordoned off the areas of shops selling clothes, toys, household items and electrical tools to avoid people buying items that are not considered essential while Corona Virus Lockdown in England.
The photos were shared on social media this week from the Yeon sections It is fortified with ornamental walls and stacks from Corona and Lynx Africa.
A store in Burnley, Lancashire, blocked access to the top floor entirely by piling up Lynx and Christmas clown gift sets at the foot of escalators earlier this week.
A sign posted on the Lynx Tower reads: “Due to the current national lockdown, we’re sorry but this area of the store is currently closed.
“The lifts are not usable. Thanks for your understanding.”
But after criticism by shoppers who have turned to social media to complain about the fact that they cannot purchase clothes, Tesco confirmed that it has reopened its highs and that all items are up for sale on Saturday morning.
A spokesperson said, “Our mezzanine levels are now open again to customers in all of our stores.”
Tesco has also decided to double its home delivery slots to 1.5 million a week after the high demand for online shopping.
A company spokesperson added: “There is still great demand for our online service, so we encourage you to shop in the store if you are able to do so, as we have a number of safety measures in place.
“To help more people shop in-store during quieter or more comfortable times, we have extended the opening hours of many of our stores, although the majority remain closed overnight.
“We have more than doubled the number of openings online to 1.5 million every week.
“This is to help anyone who is unable to shop in the store – especially our most vulnerable customers – so that they can access our service online.”
Shoppers reported not being able to access children’s clothing and socks due to the new restrictions.
A parent was angered by the use of beer to deny access to children’s clothes at another Tesco store in Walsall, West Midlands.
The angry shopper said, “You should be ashamed of yourselves. We cannot buy our kids clothes right now.
“Yes, there is an internet connection but sometimes the urgent need requires people to go to the store, and some people cannot access the internet.
“I forgot, they forbade you from buying your children’s clothes with alcohol.”
The guidance from the UK government said: “When a business has sufficiently distinct parts, one division provides basic retail and one division provides non-core segmentation, the non-core divisions should come close to limiting interactions between customers and the chance of disease to spread.
“For example, a food store might remain open, but a housewares section should be closed on a separate floor or building.”