Dingwall business issues social distancing appeal after customer complains to police; Locals react by hailing Spar for going above and beyond during coronavirus pandemic
A ROSS-SHIRE business at the heart of the county town has appealed to its customers to stick to social distancing guidelines so it can continue to service its community.
The appeal from the Spar and Post Office in Dingwall's High Street came after an incident on Friday in which a member of the public concerned that too many people were in the shop at one time contacted the police.
The business, owned by Barry Wilson and Alicen Lawrie, has been hailed by many locally for going the extra mile during the coronavirus lockdown by organising deliveries for those struggling to make it in and will be extending that service to Maryburgh and Conon Bridge from the beginning of next week.
A message posted by Mr Wilson said: "Both Alicen and I felt there were a lot more people out and about today. We have noticed in the past few weeks Fridays in particular are busiest.
"We try to limit the number of people in the shop as best as possible but a couple of times today I admit there was too many, some coming in for essential shopping and others maybe not so much. Scratch cards being a main culprit. Anyway one lady customer decided to shout at a young member of staff that too many were in the shop and complained to the police rather than maybe having a word with myself or Alicen.
"We are trying everything we can, we have a hand sanitiser station at the front door, baskets wiped down after each use, screens up at tills and social distancing markers in place.
"We will now limit the number of people to three in the Post Office and three in the shop section as best as we possibly can. We don’t have the widest of shops so we do ask customers to be patient and show some consideration to others as well when entering and leaving. We would hate to have to close and those getting essential deliveries would be deprived of this service and people not being able to post parcels etc as well as gas and electricity top-ups."
He added: "Take care everyone and please help us keep to the guidelines as much as possible."
The Spar was one of the first local businesses to organise deliveries in the wake of the lockdown, a move which prompted one local at the time to state: "Well done, that's a great response to the situation we are in and will be a great help for many of your customers. Brilliant."
Mr Wilson's post has prompted scores of supportive comments from customers, many thanking them for good service and praising them for the measures they have already put in place.
One said the business went "above and beyond" in its response to guidelines while others thanked it for stepping up to the challenge from the start of the outbreak and serving its community.
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