News

TESCO COURT BATTLE AFTER NEWS READER SHOPS AT ELEPHANT

Comments (0)

23 September 2008

By Laura Daley
news@southwarknews.org

A FORMER Sky news presenter plans to launch legal action against supermarket gaints Tesco, after popping in to buy food at Elephant & Castle’s Metro store.

Tim Arnold from Langley in Slough says he will sue 'arrogant'  Tesco for disability discrimination. The 47-year-old has an inherited condition called tuberous sclerosis, which makes it difficult for him to remember PIN numbers under pressure - but on two occasions on Friday 11 July 2008 Tim says he was told that he could not use chip and signature, which is still being used by two million disabled people.

He first went in to the Tesco Metro at Elephant & Castle at about 8.30am to buy some groceries but claims he was refused the right to buy. The same thing allegedly happened again when he returned at lunchtime with a friend. On both occasions, he said, he spoke to the Junior Manager and on the second occasion, he spoke to the Senior Manager who refused to say anything or give his surname. Mr Arnold claims Tesco are 'cutting corners' by not having proper disability discrimination training at their stores and are therefore breaking the Disability Law.

The Disability Discrimination Act was phased in during 1995 and states that in case of disability, a shop should make 'reasonable adjustment'. He branded the situtation 'ridiculous' and 'unacceptable' and will be taking the case to court. After speaking to Customer Services and Tesco headquarters, he did receive a letter which apologized for the situation and offered him £200 compensation, which Tim is not willing to accept.

Southwark Disablement Association Chairman Patrick Horan said: "Banks agreed that in situations like this, the customers would be given the option to pay by signature" and added that he hadn't heard of any similar cases occurring in Southwark.

After returning to the Tesco Metro, Tim was able to use chip and signature, the cashier saying that Tesco had been reminded of the policy.

---

Social Bookmarks:
del.icio.us Digg Newsvine Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon
Wikipedia: social bookmarking

---

Comments (0)

No comments have been posted.

Post a Comment

Please note Name and E-mail Address are required.

Name
E-mail Address (not displayed)
Comment (you may use HTML tags for style)
Enter Text Shown in Picture*
Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this article until the comment has been approved.