News Beat
Social media post about begging in Ramsbottom causes stir
A Facebook post that was published on November 23 and has since been taken down raised concerns about begging outside of the store on Railway Street.
It left users divided in the comments, with many leaping to the defence of the man sometimes seen outside of the store and others in agreement with the poster.
The post on Facebook read: “I have recently complained to Aldi head office about concerns regarding the man begging outside the Ramsbottom branch entrance.
“I’ve seen this individual using the bush at the top end of the car park right next to where the children’s nursery is has a toilet and potentially using drugs.
“I find this absolutely disgusting. Especially it being right next to where young children are. If you see this please report and take photos to the police to stop this.
“The manager of Aldi Ramsbottom knows this, and I have reported him, but Aldi head office seems to ignore my concerns.”
Facebook users were divided in the comments, with a lot of people agreeing with the post, and others defending the man.
One user replied: “Children who go to that nursery are in nursery and not on Aldi car park! There’s no bushes next to the nursery anyway.”
Another said: “In this weather he could die. He needs a home and food. What do you propose to do to help him, and what’s the meaning of you sharing those comments?”
A third wrote: “Where would you have a p*ss [Name] if you ended up homeless? Would you like people taking pictures of you?
“He seems like a nice bloke to me. Buy him a sandwich rather than wasting police time.
“Not sure what you expect Aldi head office to do. Stick him in a Kevin the Carrot outfit to improve trade.”
A fourth commented: “Begging has become a job for some people. They are often addicts, drug users or alcoholics.
“Giving them money doesn’t help them long term. Buy them some food or a drink they want, don’t give them money. Many beggars, but not all, are not homeless.”
Some noted they had not seen him at the store much since the summer months and said he is well-known around the area and does live in a home nearby.
While another urged the original poster to “have a chat to him” and described him as a “lovely bloke” who had “fallen on hard times in a current economic climate where it could easily happen to anyone”.
The Bury Times headed out to Aldi in Ramsbottom, in the hopes of speaking with the man, but he was not there, and asked shoppers about the situation.
Linda, 73, said: “He just sits there and he doesn’t beg off of anybody. I don’t think he causes any trouble.
“People go in and buy him sandwiches.”
Another customer said: “People go in and buy him stuff, he’s alright though.”
Aldi was contacted but declined to comment.
