Great-grandmother banned from all Sainsbury’s stores for life

A great-grandmother barred from every Sainsbury’s across Britain has appealed to be permitted back in – because her nearest alternative supermarket is ‘too far away’. Rita Seymour was told she was no longer welcome at the chain following a “number of incidents over time” at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire.

Nevertheless, the 79-year-old maintains she is “not that sort of person” and wants the ban lifted. She explains that the Sainsbury’s near her is a five-minute walk from her home, compared to a 20-minute journey to her second choice, Tesco.

Rita is a mum-of-one, grandmother-of-four and great-grandmother-of-two. She stated: “I’m not interested in money. But, I live five minutes away from the shop, and I would like this ban lifted.”

The pensioner, who has resided in Hook since 1981, explains she visits the nearby branch once a week to complete her shopping. She says she would usually spend between £80 and £100.

It was during a visit earlier this month that Rita, who worked in customer services, allegedly became embroiled in a disagreement with a staff member while attempting to buy a EuroMillions ticket. Rita claims she had to request a lottery ticket four times before receiving a response from the employee, reports the Mirror.

When she finally answered, Rita claims the staff member said she had been rude and called management, who accused her of insulting staff and ‘pinching food’. Rita stated: “She went to take a picture of me, and I pushed her camera out of her face.

“I said, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong here, you’re not taking pictures of me’. She was flinging her arms about.”

When Rita returned to the shop the following day, she claims she was refused entry. She says she was also handed a letter informing her she had been banned from Sainsbury’s and Argos stores nationwide.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We want everyone to feel welcome when they shop with us, and our colleagues work hard to create a positive in-store experience. We take any form of abusive and inappropriate behaviour seriously.

“Following a number of incidents over time, a decision was taken to withdraw this individual’s right to shop at our Hook store. This action was not taken lightly, but the safety and well-being of colleagues and customers always come first.”

Rita, whose husband is disabled, firmly denied that any prior incidents had ever occurred. She said: “I’m not that sort of person, I never cause trouble, I never do any trouble – they’re saying it to get out of everything. I want to clear my name.”

What does it take for someone to get banned from a supermarket?

As supermarkets are privately owned, they have the right to refuse service and bar individuals from entering their premises for virtually any reason, provided the ban does not breach legislation prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of protected characteristics. Common grounds for a ban typically include theft, shoplifting, or attempting to leave without making payment.

Furthermore, abusive, aggressive, or threatening conduct toward staff or other shoppers could result in a ban. Antisocial behaviour, such as causing significant disturbances, interfering with goods, or damaging property, is equally a frequent ground for being barred.