Rita Seymour has moaned that the alternative supermarket in her area is ‘too far away’
A great-grandmother who is banned from every Sainsbury’s in the UK has pleaded to be allowed back in – because her nearest alternative store is ‘too far away’. Rita Seymour was informed she was no longer welcome at the supermarket chain following a “number of incidents over time” at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire.
However, the 79-year-old insists she is “not that sort of person” and wants the ban overturned. She says the Sainsbury’s near her is just a five-minute walk from her home, compared to a 20-minute trek to her second option, Tesco, reports the Mirror.
Rita is a mum-of-one, grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two. She said: “I’m not interested in money. However, I live five minutes away from the shop, and I would like this ban lifted.”
The pensioner, who has lived in Hook since 1981, says she visits the nearby branch to do her weekly shopping and would typically spend between £80 and £100.
During a visit earlier this month Rita, who worked in customer services, reportedly became involved in a dispute with a staff member while attempting to purchase a EuroMillions ticket. The gran claims she had to request a lottery ticket four times before receiving a response from the employee.
When she eventually answered, Rita claims the staff member said she had been rude and summoned the management team, who accused her of insulting staff and ‘pinching food’.
Rita said: “She went to take a picture of me, and I pushed her camera out of her face. I said, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong here, you’re not taking pictures of me’. She was flinging her arms about.”
Rita returned the following day, but claims she was refused entry to the shop. She says she was also handed a letter informing her that she had been banned from Sainsbury’s and Argos stores nationwide.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We want everyone to feel welcome when they shop with us, and our colleagues work hard to create a positive in-store experience. We take any form of abusive and inappropriate behaviour seriously.
“Following a number of incidents over time, a decision was taken to withdraw this individual’s right to shop at our Hook store. This action was not taken lightly, but the safety and well-being of colleagues and customers always come first.”
Rita, whose husband is disabled, completely denied that any previous incidents had ever taken place. She said: “I’m not that sort of person, I never cause trouble, I never do any trouble – they’re saying it to get out of everything. I want to clear my name.”
What does it take for someone to get banned from a supermarket?
Since supermarkets are privately owned, they have the authority to deny service and prohibit entry to their stores for almost any reason, as long as the ban does not violate laws against discrimination based on protected characteristics. Typical reasons for a ban can include theft, shoplifting, or trying to leave without paying.
Additionally, abusive, aggressive, or threatening actions directed at employees or fellow customers may result in a ban. Engaging in antisocial behaviour, like causing major disruptions, tampering with merchandise, or vandalising property, is also a common reason for being banned.
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