Warehouse workers at one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most popular stores must now wear masks following complaints from shoppers.
The move comes after Stoke-on-Trent City Council urged the mixed-used retailer in Fenton to take action to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
The authority had sent out letters to shops across the Potteries urging them to enforce the wearing of face coverings.
And as a result, The Range has updated its company policy to ensure all employees across the country – including those who largely work behind the scenes – cover their mouths and noses.
Council leader Abi Brown said: “Warehouse staff will now be wearing face coverings whilst working and after implementing this at the local Stoke-on-Trent store it was shared with the national health and safety team and now face coverings will be worn in all their warehouses across the country.
“This really is fantastic news to hear. We want to continue to work with businesses; we have every understanding for essential retailers working hard to continue to operate under very difficult circumstances. But businesses must continue to do all they can to stop the spread of the virus.”
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, director of adult social care, health integration and wellbeing, is urging other retailers to follow the example set by The Range.
He said: “The reason we sent this letter was for exactly this reason, businesses must continue to do all they can to stop the spread of the virus and follow the rules.
“Retailers have a key role to play to help to control the spread of coronavirus by ensuring adherence to a number of measures within their stores.
“Many people are now staying home, so visiting a supermarket or retail store may be the only place they visit. I hope more retailers now follow suit.”
The Range has proved one of the most popular shops in lockdown with long queues of shoppers waiting to get inside.
It sells a mix of items from home furnishings to toys and also has a dedicated section selling Iceland products.
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