Disabled cancer-stricken grandad, 73, ‘kicked out of Asda’ over mobility scooter row
Tony Daniels from Liverpool, said he ‘couldn’t believe’ it when he was surrounded by security guards and asked to leave the Asda supermarket in Widnes town centre on June 18
Tony said he had no issues until recently
A disabled grandad was booted from a budget supermarket after he got in a massive row over a mobility scooter.
Tony Daniels from Mossley Hill in Liverpool, said he “couldn’t believe” it when he was asked to leave Asda supermarket in Widnes town centre on June 18. The 73-year-old grandad-of-nine claimed he was left dumbfounded after being “surrounded” by security guards after he refused to hand out his personal details to hire a scooter in the store.
He claims he was asked to leave the shop when he refused on the basis that he is not asked for details when he shops at his local Asda nearer his home. Asda said that it is company policy to ask anyone using a mobility scooter in store to provide a few details and added that they have written to Tony to explain the rule.
Retired builder Tony said he asked to use one of the mobility scooter trolleys at the Asda on Widnes Road, but was told by a security guard that he would need to give his name and address. Tony refused and asked to speak to a manager.
But before he knew it he says he had a whole barrage of people surround him.
Tony said: “He went on his walkie-talkie, and the next minute, I was surrounded by three to four security guards.
“I am disabled and on two sticks. I have a lot of health issues, and cancer is the latest one I’ve got.
“As [the manager] was walking towards me, her first words to me were, ‘I don’t like your attitude, and I’m going to tell you to leave. We want you to leave now’.”
Tony, who uses two walking sticks to get around, added: “It was just a horrible experience. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t get the buggy to do my shopping, but the way I was treated. I’m disabled, I wasn’t a threat to anybody.
“I use the Asda store on Smithdown Road in Liverpool, and it has never been a problem whatsoever. They’re great with me. I just ask for a buggy, and they say, ‘No problem.’ They help me with my packing and shopping.
“The incident has knocked me back a lot, and I still get upset about it. I’m 73, on two walking sticks, I can barely breathe, and I thought I was going to have a hypo in the store.”
An Asda spokesperson said: “To ensure colleague and customer safety, we politely ask anyone using a mobility scooter in store to provide a few details and, where needed, use one of our in-store scooters.
“This is standard across all our stores and is something we ask of all customers using a mobility scooter, always with the best intentions and with the safety of all customers in mind.
“We’ve written to Mr Daniels to explain our policy and remain happy to speak with him directly if he has any further questions.”
