Harrogate’s central Marks and Spencer store is facing complaints from residents and traders about its non-essential sales.
The store has closed off a large section of the store and the upper floor. But it still has some clothing, beauty and homeware on sale.
Parts of the menswear section is now on the Cambridge Street floor, which has traditionally been solely for womenswear.
The store only has parts of the store open which customers need to use to get down to the food section on the lower floor.
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This has been a national debate during the three lockdowns. Supermarkets can sell non-essential goods alongside food.
Welsh supermarkets came under scrutiny after some sectioned off parts they deemed non-essential, including women’s sanitary products.
Some residents and sole-traders believe it is unfair for any stores to sell non-essential goods while small independent stores cannot – especially a store in the town centre.
Local David Andrews wrote a letter to the chief executive of M&S and shared the letter with the Stray Ferret. He said:
“I believe this [is] contrary to the guidelines and has given [M&S] an unfair advantage over competitors.
“It was permitted to open because of the food hall on the lower ground floor, served by its primary access from Oxford Street.
“Why does M&S need to open the Cambridge Street entrance at all when the Oxford Street entrance accesses the food hall directly?
“One might say it wants to continue trading in clothes and this loophole about secondary access allows them to do so.”
A sole trader based in Harrogate, who wanted to remain anonymous, also told the Stray Ferret:
“Somebody must be able to as this is so unfair. I am sole trader and this inconsistency is driving me mad.
“Why can you not get them to follow the guidance which suits this store to a tee as it’s actually states non-essential floors should be closed.
“What’s the point of having guidance if it can’t be used. I’m sure it was written for a reason.”
M&S disputes any allegations that it is not following the rules. A spokesperson said in response:
Report of police impersonator targeting Boroughbridge shoppers“Our M&S Foodhalls remain open to provide our customers with the essential items they require during this time.
“In line with Government guidelines, we’ve closed our non-food floors except where they provide access to our Foodhalls.”
Police are investigating after an individual who claimed to be a police officer approached motorists in Boroughbridge, instructing them to pay thousands of pounds in overdue vehicle tax.
The incident took place in the Morrisons car park in Boroughbridge, when the individual is reported to have taken personal contact details from motorists and repeatedly called them the following day. They were told they owed thousands of pounds in unpaid fines and would be arrested if the amount wasn’t paid immediately.
North Yorkshire Police has warned residents to be vigilant in case they’re approached by the same individual. A police spokesperson said:
“If you are approached by someone claiming to be a police officer, they should be happy to show you their identification if asked and you can also confirm their identity by asking their name and ‘collar number’ and calling 101 to verify these details.
“The police will never contact you over the phone, text or email to request payment or to ask you to transfer money to them so if anyone claiming to be the police does so, hang up immediately.”
The police are asking people to call 101 if they believe they have experienced a similar scam.
https://twitter.com/KnaresPolice/status/1277206489971728389
Marks & Spencer likely to open Ripon store in mid July
Marks & Spencer is likely to open its M&S Food store in Ripon in mid July, The Stray Ferret understands.
The M&S store, on Rotary Way, was originally due to open on April 29 but that was put on hold because of coronavirus.
It is part of the £10 million Saint Michael’s Retail Park development. A spokesperson for M&S said:
“We’re working hard to finish our Ripon store and as soon as we have more information on the opening we will update the community.”
The new store, located close to the Ripon bypass, was first granted planning permission by Harrogate Borough Council in 2017. It will provide up to 80 new jobs, including people who have been recruited locally.
Ripon is currently served by four supermarkets – Aldi, Booths, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
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German budget supermarket Lidl, which already has a store in Chain Lane, Knaresborough, has announced that it plans to open up to 89 new stores in Yorkshire and has Harrogate and Ripon on its list, saying:
The company, which is hoping to double the number of stores it has in the UK added, that it was looking for ‘prominent sites in town, district, edge of centre or out of town locations, ideally with main road frontage with easy access and strong pedestrian or traffic flow.’
“We want to double our portfolio. To continue our phenomenal growth we require further sites across the country.”
The proposed locations for Lidl stores in Ripon and Harrogate is not as yet known.