Comments on: A tale of woe: Tesco and the snow

By: Jan Minihane

Jan Minihane — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:35:18 +0000

Hi David

Thanks for commenting – sadly for that retail park, that’s exaclty what a lot of people now think after this latest gridlock. It does certainly make you stop and think about where to shop in future.

By: David

David — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:30:51 +0000

Try using local shops – Tesco are very intent on taking over all towns so your support would be appreciated. You will also get unfailing customer service!

By: A week on – A tale of woe: Tesco and the snow | Jan Minihane

A week on – A tale of woe: Tesco and the snow | Jan Minihane — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:17:06 +0000

[...] A tale of woe: Tesco and the snow (90 Comments) [...]

By: Joanne

Joanne — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:23:33 +0000

There was a problem in the car park long before the snow and stuck lorry was an issue! For someone who knows no facts you have an awful to lot to say. Blocking your drive is of course different, it was silly thing to say, about as silly as you comparing what happened at Tesco with motorway hold ups!

By: Dave Perry

Dave Perry — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:35:13 +0000

Have you seriously lost it ? Blocking my drive is completely different as you can choose to do that or not, Tesco can’t choose to have a broken down lorry blocking there entrance. They also sadly can’t stop idiots going on to buy stuff they don’t need when the government and local radio have said not to. Same with motorways the driver who smashes into another car blocking a lane did’t mean to do it.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:33:36 +0000

Can I come and park on your drive then Dave and prevent you from driving anywhere for a few hours tomorrow when you want to get somewhere? I presume that will be ok because the M25 regularly gets gridlocked and people have to wait for hours?

By: Dave Perry

Dave Perry — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:07:03 +0000

Completely agree, glad you make the point on the motorway as well. I seem to keep being ignored about that, as you say motorways such as the M25 regularly get gridlocked and people wait hours.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:32:24 +0000

I completely agree with the comment above my own. To blame the staff on duty for weather conditions is just scape-goating. Tesco staff do not have the authority or power to stop people entering the car-park and let’s be frank here, do you really think the residents of Telford would listen to such a request when there’s shopping to be had?
If there is a gridlock on the M25 near Heathrow, do you think people complain to the airport?
And why blame the management and staff? Most residents of this areas know about the constant battle between Tesco and the Council to improve the traffic flow of that car park. Complaints should be directed to the Local Authorities or even the Tesco H/O. I’m certain the staff did their best they could under the unexpected circumstances. They put up with countless abuse from customers and most had to abandon their own cars to make their journey home after the what seemed like the shift from hell.
I say Well Done to the staff of Telford Tesco!!

By: Jan Minihane

Jan Minihane — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:17:38 +0000

Hi Anon

Thanks for contributing.

Please re-read my blog – I absolutely do not blame the staff and certainly do not consider them lazy/uncaring (all the staff I know/have ever spoken to have always been lovely), I only mention them once and actually say I understand the position they were in. My concerns are purely at a process, planning and access level, not in anyway directed at staff. As I was stuck in my car on my own unable to park it, I could not go into the store and so I did not see what was happening. It saddens me greatly to hear the abuse staff suffered, totally unacceptable.

As for free tea and coffee, only if people went into the store and enquire did they know there was free tea and coffee. People like me on their own and unable to park as they were stuck did not know, which is a shame but a very minor issue.

I’m also not blaming Tesco for the weather or the accidents – merely there was no apparent plan/presence for 2 hours between the initial gridlock in the car park after about 1pm until the accident which meant by the time the accident happened a lot of the damage was done. I personally (rightly or wrongly) feel there is something to learn from that.

I was not aware of the (no doubt many) idiot drivers, again as I was stuck in the car park – goes without saying situations like these bring out the best and worst in people sadly.

I’m now aware that Tesco have been applying for planning permission for a relief road – great to hear and I desperately hope the council look at it again.

I hope that addresses your points.

Thanks

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:47:45 +0000

I think you have a very harsh view and un-necessarily blaming a supermarket for adverse weather conditions and a serious of accidents. Planning permission has been applied for many times for an exit from Tesco car park directly onto the M54! Alas Telford and Wrekin council have refused this many times. Why did you not mention the gentleman driving quite idiotically in the snow whose car then got stuck and causes alot of hold up exiting the retail park. Or the staff marshalling the car park and offering free tea and coffee whilst putting up with a mountain of abuse! Would you have liked to have been one of the managers surrounded by customers being shouted and sworn at? No I don’t think you would have liked to. By all means blame the planning and traffic system but why blame the staff who were just trying to do their best! Or they just an easy scapegoat for your flustaration? Why did so many people continue to come shopping after a weather warning! Contrary to popular belief Tesco donot control the weather system and neither are the staff lazy an uncaring!