Homewares superstore The Range is under fire for keeping open Gloucestershire stores and warehouses during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Thousands have signed a petition calling on founder Chris Dawson to close down his stores and warehouses during the coronavirus outbreak.

The retailer best known for selling budget homewares and furniture is keeping the doors at all 140 stores, including those in Cheltenham and Gloucester, open for customers.

And hundreds are still working at distribution warehouses at the Vantage Point business park in Mitcheldean and Avonmouth.

Although new powers designed to stop the spread of the virus allow home hardware stores to open during the shutdown, critics claim it should not be classed as essential and staff are being forced to work for fear of losing their jobs if they don't.

More than 10,000 have signed an on-line petition calling on store owner Mr Dawson, a former market trader who opened one of his first warehouses in Gloucestershire, to do a U-turn along the lines of Mike Ashley of Sport Direct.

The on-line petition at Change.org says: “During this scary time with Covid-19 the owner has made it increasingly difficult for his staff to stay home.

“He has not signed up to the government backed scheme where they will pay up to 80 per cent of employees wages but instead recently installed refrigerators in the store so it can be classed as a ‘mini mart’ and not have to close !!!”

It adds: “It is not imperative for them to be at work.

“We have our actual supermarkets to supply us with food ! We do not need The Range to stay open for the likes of a couple of packets of ham.

“They may just be ‘staff’ to him but they’re family to us and should be able to be at home with their families.”

The Range boasts that it sells 65,000 products across 16 different departments and is best known for household goods ranging from cleaning sprays to cushions, DIY products and art supplies.

The Mitcheldean warehouse is thought to employ up to around 400 people and there are hundreds who travel to Avonmouth for work. Many are agency staff.

One worker who did not want to be identified told Gloucestershire Live they had received an email to say they could carry on working because they are part of the food chain.

“Apart from Pot Noodle and some pic ‘n mix you wouldn’t be able to buy much food in the Gloucester store,” said the worker.

“I don’t want to lose my job but I think it’s disgusting that they can open. We are handling goods from all over the world and we don’t even have hand sanitiser or gloves.

The Range Facebook site has been bombarded with critical comments from staff, their families and customers since the decision was taken to stay open.

They want the company to close its operations and claim staff wages from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for employees in danger of losing their jobs. Those designated furloughed workers through HMRC would be paid 80 per cent wage costs, up to a cap of £2,500 per month.

What the Range says

A statement from Alex Simpkin, chief executive of The Range, said: “Following on from Monday evening’s announcement that all non-essential stores are to close, we’ve had confirmation from Trading Standards that we should remain open during this period of uncertainty for the communities that we serve.

“We are a value retailer and understand that a lot of our customers rely on us to provide essential items like food and groceries, pet food and veterinary items, non-prescription items, toilet rolls, cleaning products and all at the value prices that they need right now.

“Stocking thousands of essential everyday products across 180 stores nation-wide, we’ve been working hard to ensure we can continue to provide safe access to all of these necessities under one roof.

“While all of our stores remain open, our opening hours have changed. Our store teams have been briefed on the latest Government health and safety guidelines and are taking the necessary actions to help ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues. This includes the implementation of enhanced cleaning routines and social distancing.

“For the safety of other shoppers and staff, we ask that you keep a distance of at least 2m (6ft) apart and avoid physical contact as far as possible while shopping in store with us.

“We also request that, where possible, you pay by contactless card to reduce the risk of contamination.

“Our Customer Care team are working very hard to ensure that all of your queries are answered during this time. Unfortunately, due to the impact of the current climate and our concern for the welfare of our staff, we’ve had to reduce our Customer Care operating hours.”

DIY boom

But the Range not the only retailer staying open to take advantage of the DIY boom caused by people being isolated at home,.

The Kingfisher Group are keeping B&Q and Screwfix stores open for click and collect and home delivery saying it would be “serving the needs of communities for electricity, heating, plumbing and other essentials".

“We are committed to supporting our communities and governments to manage the Covid-19 pandemic,” Kingfisher chief executive Thierry Garnier said.

“We are very conscious of the anxiety that the outbreak is causing for our colleagues and customers, and we’ll do everything we can to support them."

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Under the guidance food retailers, pharmacies, hardware stores, corner shops, petrol stations, shops in hospital, post offices, banks, newsagents, laundrettes and pet shops can stay open but those deemed non-essential are shut.



