Asda store in Lower Earley says it does follow Covid guidelines following complaints

Taking to local, public Facebook groups, many have claimed that Asda in Lower Earley allow groups into the shop, which they say is frequently "overcrowded", particularly at weekends.

One said: "There are still too many treating it as a family outing over there, especially at the weekend."

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While another said of the Chalfont Way supermarket: "I've been in very occasionally and found on weekdays, especially around lunchtime, it's pretty empty.

"The one time I went at the weekend it was awful and I left again."

The store came under scrutiny for the same issue last year, and in December, Earley Town Councillor Clive Jones told The Chronicle: "My colleague Andrew Mickleburgh and I visited the store and spoke with the duty manager.

"We advised him that we would be speaking to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and with Asda Head Office to express the concerns of residents.

"I am pleased to say that Asda have taken the concerns of residents very seriously.

"Asda staff were offering face masks to shoppers who had forgotten to bring one with them and encouraged them to wear them."

PICTURED: Lower Earley Asda

But recently, people have begun to take to social media again to suggest that not enough is being done to ensure Covid safety measures are followed in Asda.

One local added: "Seriously it’s awful at times!

"Worst supermarket experiences of lockdown have been in there - but sometimes it’s so quiet.

"Definitely can’t crowd control and feels like they don’t really try very hard."

However, some have also said that they have found the shop to be safe and in keeping with guidelines when they have visited.

One commented: "Asda Lower Earley did put a queueing and one-way system in place when the first lockdown happened, but as can be expected on the one-way arrows, no-one bothered to follow them and did their own thing.

"It is unfair to blame Asda, when they have done as much as they can (even handing out free masks for those who can’t be bothered to bring their own).

"It is the customers at fault."

PICTURED: Covid stock image

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A spokesperson from Asda said: "We have extensive measures in place across all of our stores such as Covid-marshals, protective screens, social distancing signage and numerous hand sanitiser stations.

"Our customers can rest assured that we continue to follow all government guidance as we have since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The local authority have visited our the Lower Earley branch this weekend [February 6/7] and we are pleased that they have agreed that we have all of the necessary measures in place to keep our colleagues and customers safe."

WBC have been approached for a comment.