Rita Seymour, a 79-year-old great-grandmother, has been banned from all Sainsbury's and Argos stores across the UK following a series of incidents at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire. She is now appealing the ban, arguing that the nearest alternative supermarket is too far away.
Ban After Dispute Over Lottery Ticket
The ban was issued after a dispute during a visit earlier this month when Seymour attempted to buy a EuroMillions ticket. She claims she had to ask the staff member four times before receiving a response. When the employee finally acknowledged her, Seymour says she was accused of being rude. Management was called, and she was alleged to have insulted staff and 'pinching food'.
Seymour 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." The following day, she was refused entry and handed a letter banning her from all Sainsbury's and Argos stores nationwide.
Seymour Denies Wrongdoing
Seymour, who has lived in Hook since 1981 and worked in customer services, denies any previous incidents. 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." She visits the store weekly, spending between £80 and £100 per trip.
Her husband is disabled, and she relies on the nearby Sainsbury's, which is a five-minute walk from her home. The next closest option, Tesco, requires a 20-minute journey. She said: "I'm not interested in money. But I live five minutes away from the shop, and I would like this ban lifted."
Sainsbury's Statement
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."
Why Supermarkets Can Ban Customers
Supermarkets, as private property, have the authority to ban individuals for any reason that does not violate anti-discrimination laws. Common reasons include theft, abusive behaviour, or antisocial conduct. In this case, Sainsbury's cited a pattern of incidents over time.
