Pensioners claim superstore has left them out in the cold

2:23pm Wednesday 9th January 2002

Elderly people have reacted angrily to the removal of a shelter at the bus stop outside Borehamwood's Tesco supermarket.

Tesco, in Shenley Road, removed the shelter three weeks ago, after it was vandalised, and there are no current plans to replace it.

David Endacott, of the Pensioners' Rights and Old People's Welfare Committee, said the removal of the shelter meant elderly shoppers were put at risk of hypothermia in the exposed conditions without a shelter.

He urged Tesco to replace the shelter, and added: "I think it is absolutely diabolical.

"The senior citizens that use the stop were absolutely frozen last week: they were shivering.

"Tesco is their main store, and many elderly people use it. I think it is a total disregard, by Tesco, for the safety of its customers."

Jean Woolgar, aged 78, of Borehamwood's Tennison Avenue, said: "Considering the vast amount of profit Tesco makes, it is a pity that it does not take into consideration that not all of its customers have cars. I think it is extremely unfair - there is no protection from the elements."

A Tesco spokeswoman said: "The store has had problems with the shelter since it opened eight years ago. Every week it gets vandalised and glass is broken, which is a real problem for Tesco because it is compromising customer safety. We have had a couple of incidents where people have been hurt.

"They are examining the situation and looking at different options."

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