Supermarkets & Food Supply

 

  1. What are the priority shopping hours for elderly and vulnerable residents, and what support is available?

If you are elderly or vulnerable, please consult the table below, which will tell you when you can shop at certain supermarkets with priority access.

Elderly and vulnerable priority shopping hours by supermarket

Sainsbury’s

First hour of trading on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8am-9am locally).

Introduced a new Sainsbury’s Volunteer Shopping Card to enable friends and helpers to shop on behalf of someone else. www.sainsburysgiftcard.co.uk

Tesco (excluding Express stores)

9am-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Those who are vulnerable but not on the Government’s list and want to be registered for online priority shopping slots please call 0800 917 7359.

Waitrose

First hour of trading everyday (8am-9am Monday to Saturday, 10am-11am Sunday).

Launched a dedicated e-gift card for self-isolating customers who are unable to get to the shops themselves, and want to organise a simple, safe and contact-free payment for groceries delivered by friends, neighbours, family members or volunteers. The gift card can be purchased online at johnlewisgiftcard.com  

Family, friends or volunteers over the age of 18 can also pick up a waitrose.com grocery Click & Collect order on behalf of a customer that is self-isolating. 

M&S

First hour of trading on a Monday and Thursday (8am-9am).

Introduced a pre-paid shopping card and essential food boxes. 

Co-op

Monday to Saturday 8am-9am, Sunday 10am-11am

Introduced a dedicated phoneline – 0800 029 4592 – to enable customers to purchase a gift card which can then be passed on to a friend, neighbour or volunteer to pay for shopping in one of their stores.  

 

  1. Which shops are offering priority access for NHS, Emergency, and Care Staff?
     

Most supermarkets in the constituency have some form of priority access available for emergency workers. Please check the table below which will outline what is available. You will need to show your relevant work ID to take advantage of these schemes.

Aldi

NHS and social care workers, police and firefighters (all groups entitled to a Blue Light card) get priority in queues and 30 minutes early access on Sunday mornings. 

Co-op

Keyworkers’ priority access Monday – Saturday 0800 – 0900; Sunday 1000 – 1100. 

Sainsbury’s

Priority shopping Monday – Saturday 0730 – 0800 

Tesco

NHS and emergency services staff get priority in queues at all times. Priority shopping Tuesday and Thursday 0900 – 1000; browsing one hour before store opening Sunday mornings. 

Waitrose

Daily essentials kept aside for NHS staff and social workers; priority at checkouts. 

Marks and Spencer

NHS, emergency services, health and social care workers – 1st hour of store opening on Tuesdays and Fridays.