Supermarkets are beginning to alter their opening hours for the public to ensure elderly residents can buy essentials.
Panic buying is taking supermarkets by storm, meaning that shelves are left empty. Many elderly residents of MK can only afford to shop once a week, and when they do, there is barely anything left on the shelves.
As a result, people have campaigned for supermarkets to open an hour earlier to allow the elderly to shop without the added pressures of panic buyers and lack of stock. Supermarkets across the country have recognised this, and are now taking action.
It has been reported by residents that this morning (18/3), Iceland in Bletchley will be open from 9am until 11am for those over the age of 70 only.
Tomorrow morning (19/3), Sainsbury's supermarkets will reserve an hour in stores for elderly and vulnerable customers. Every Sainsbury's supermarket in Milton Keynes will be open from 7am until 8am, only allowing the elderly or vulnerable to shop. From 8am, the stores will be open to the general public. Clarify your local Sainsbury's supermarket opening times by clicking here.
"We will also help elderly and vulnerable customers access food online," says Sainsbury's Chief Exec Mike Coupe. "From Monday 23rd March, our online customers who are over 70 years of age or have a disability will have priority access to online delivery slots. We will contact these customers in the coming days with more details. "
These changes are not permanent. At the moment, the over 70's shopping hour(s) is only for one day. MKFM will keep you updated with other amended shopping timetables allowing the vulnerable to gather essentials.
To cope with the overwhelming demand, supermarkets are now putting in various measures to prevent panic buying. Sainsbury's will allow customers to buy a maximum of three of any grocery product and will shut its cafes and fresh food counters. A cap of two will be imposed on the most popular items including toilet roll, soap and UHT milk.
Tesco has suspended all-night opening in superstores. Waitrose is employing hundreds more staff to cope with the demand.
Have you spotted a local supermarket/shop changing its opening hours to allow the elderly/vulnerable to buy essentials? Let MKFM know.
