Store’s schoolkids’ policy is a disgrace (From Halesowen News)

Store’s schoolkids’ policy is a disgrace

12:32pm Thursday 28th January 2010

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Re: Tesco Express, 175 Stourbridge Road, Halesowen.

This image was taken on January 21. The notice at the entrance caught my eye because of the two glaring spelling mistakes, poor formatting and appalling use of grammar.

You will also note it is printed on an A4 sheet of paper so presumably not an approved nationwide Tesco initiative.

Upon entering the store we passed two teenage girls collecting their bags and blazers which had been left in the custody of a makeshift doorman. A shop worker turned security guard/cloakroom attendant had clearly been tasked with the responsibility of enforcing this regime during lunchtime.

As I perused the store and collected some items for lunch I became further outraged about this policy.

I felt the very least I could do, would be to point out to the staff the typography errors in the notice.

If you plan to lay down a dictatorial policy targeted at school children, you must have a responsibility to lead by example in the spelling and grammar and communicate the message correctly and effectively.

Once I had paid for my items, I notified a senior looking member of staff of my observations. They replied: “Don’t tell me, I’m just the manager” then a second lady quipped, “It’s only a spelling mistake” whilst a third stated they were aware of the errors but “Ay got time to change them”.

By this time the vigilante doorman had returned to his post and joked with his colleagues about how they had experienced few problems this lunch but a small percentage were not happy.

I feel it is inappropriate for an adult to ask teenage boys and girls to remove clothing and trust them with their possessions.

Furthermore, this blanket policy brandishes all teenagers and school children as thieves. I would question as to whether this policy is even legal, never mind enforceable.

As well as the freezing temperatures, it is simply not humane to ask people to remove clothes to enter a shop. Do Tesco take responsibility for these belongings when they are in possession?

I would suggest the staff at nearby Windsor High School advise their pupils of alternatives to this store.

I am fully aware of the issues regarding theft in the retail sector however there can be no place for this type of policy at a small local store of a global retailer.

Normally I would not go to such lengths to bring across my point however it was the attitude, arrogance and dismissal of my comments by the staff at this store which has left me with no choice.

George Walker DipM, Quarry Bank

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