Angry shoppers boycott ASDA

Photo: Laura Wild

Protests at ASDA Rochdale

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Angry shoppers have staged a protest outside Rochdale’s ASDA store to demand action against an employee who refused to serve a customer wearing a Help for Heroes wrist band.

The protest began at lunchtime today (Saturday 7 November) and ran until 3.00pm. A Union Jack flag was put over the barriers and protesters held posters reading: ‘Support our Heroes.’

The protest was arranged by a group called ‘Boycott ASDA.’ The group has over 3,000 members, with approximately 100 people turning up for the protest.

The police were on site in case of trouble.

As ASDA customers went about their shopping, comments were shouted, such as: ‘Don’t shop at ASDA support our heroes.’

Kevin Bryan was amongst the people that turned out today, he said: “It is disgraceful that this person hasn’t been sacked.”

Lesley Hague, arrived at 12.00pm with her ‘Support Our Heroes’ poster, she said: “I won’t be shopping at ASDA anymore.

“The help the heroes wristband is not supporting the war, it is supporting our troops and we want them all home in one piece.

“I don’t care if I get in trouble out here today, I am prepared for that, we are here because we want to be heard.”

Staff from ASDA brought out tea and coffee for the people braving the cold; some took it whilst others shouted not to drink it because they were only doing it for the cameras.

Malcolm Nickalass, said: “I have worked in the retail business and it is vital to remember that the customer is always right. ASDA should have backed up the woman who was refused service rather than the member of staff.

“They have tried to sweep it under the carpet. I think a donation from ASDA to Help for Heroes would go down well.”

One protester, who did not want to be named, said: “The employee should make a public apology to the woman who he refused to serve.”

Leah Watson a spokesperson for ASDA, said: “We are still investigating what happened. At this time we still do not know which member of staff it was because the customer has not told us what day it happened.

ASDA fully supports the Help for Heroes charity and in the past we have worked with the Ministry of Defense to provide things for our troops.

“We do fully understand how people feel about this matter, and it is fine for them to express their point of view, but protesting isn’t the way forward.

“We would rather people came in and spoke to us.”