Shops and politicians in Harborough plead with residents not to panic buy

Businesses and politicians in Harborough are urging people across the district - do not panic buy.

They are appealing to shoppers to act sensibly as many local stores have run out of such items as toilet rolls, drugs such as paracetamol, pasta, eggs and nappies.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien said: “I want to make this totally clear to people through the Harborough Mail.

“There’s absolutely no need to hoard and no need to stockpile despite the coronavirus.

“My message to customers is simple – shop normally.”

The Conservative MP stressed: “Our warehouses are full of toilet rolls all over the country.

“So why go out and fill your trolley with loo rolls?

“We have enough food and enough medical supplies – we are not going to run out!”

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, told the Mail: “Do not panic!

“We have plenty of food and plenty of supplies across the board.

“There’s only so much money you can spend in the shops, anyway, and you only have so much storage space at home.”

He added: “Don’t be selfish – think of other people and their needs as well as yourself.”

Cllr King spoke as Sainsbury’s busy superstore in Market Harborough town centre was being stripped of toilet rolls and tissues every day.

One frustrated store assistant said: “We’re receiving new supplies of items like toilet paper daily.

“But as soon as we get them in we sell them out again.”

Sainsbury’s are now rationing purchases of soap, hand wash, tissues, cleaning products, rice, pasta and UHT milk to five of each item and limiting purchases of pain relief products to two.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We’re limiting purchases of a small number of products to make sure all our customers can find everything they need.

“Customers can be assured we are receiving new deliveries regularly.”

A spokesperson for Aldi, which also has an outlet in Harborough, said: “All our stores remain open and continue to serve our valued customers.

“We have good product availability and our incredible colleagues are working tirelessly to restock and replenish shelves as quickly as they can.”

They added: “As we have seen an unprecedented demand across our range, we will be limiting customer purchases to four units on all products to ensure all of our customers have an opportunity to purchase them.”

The Co-op’s shop in Harborough has also been selling out items ranging from toilet rolls to painkillers to nappies.

The store was restricting shoppers to “three units” of toilet rolls and kitchen rolls per person.

Tesco, which has a Metro store in The Square in Harborough, is limiting people to two units each of anti-bacterial products, potatoes, dried pasta, tinned vegetables, toilet rolls, tissues and UHT milk.

Acting on behalf of the UK’s 12 biggest supermarket chains, the British Retail Consortium issued an open plea to shoppers: “To our customers, we know that many of you are worried about the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

“We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need.

“We are working closely with Government and our suppliers to keep food moving quickly through the system and making more deliveries to our stores to ensure our shelves are stocked.

“Those of us with online delivery and click-and-collect services are running them at full capacity to help you get the products you need when you need them.

“We thank all our colleagues in stores and supply chains who are working day and night to keep the nation fed.”

They added: “But we need your help too.

“We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop.

“We understand your concerns but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without.

“There is enough for everyone if we all work together.

“Together we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbours.

“Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home.

“We are doing all we can to rise to this challenge.

“Serving you and keeping you and everyone who works with us safe will always be our priority.”