Residents, community leaders and police are united in outrage after supermarket giant Tesco declared a Sheffield neighbourhood a ‘no-go area’ for deliveries. But the company said it stands by its decision not to make online shopping deliveries in Gleadless Valley.
Tesco declares Gleadless Valley a no-go area
Karen Dingle and her mother Denise Devall, of Gleadless Valley, placed an order online for home-delivery for £192 of groceries to see them through the festive period.
However, just hours before the delivery was due to arrive – Tesco called to say the order had been cancelled and wouldn’t be sent, as Gleadless Valley is a ‘bad area’.
A Tesco worker told Karen children had thrown stones at the Tesco vans, delivery drivers had been attacked, and thieves had stolen goods while their vehicles were parked up.
But Karen said she believed Gleadless Valley was being unfairly discriminated against, and the incident had left her feeling ‘depressed and fed up’.
She said: “We’ve never heard of any problems with delivery vans whatsoever. It just feels like this area is being targeted. I don’t think it’s fair. It makes you feel cut off.”
Gleadless Valley Community Forum leader Steve Rundell, said he found Tesco’s attitude ‘appalling’.
Inspector Ian Stubbs, from South Yorkshire Police’s Safer Neighbourhood Area, said assaults on delivery drivers in Gleadless Valley were ‘not a problem’ in the neighbourhood.
“It’s not something that’s been flagged to my attention as a particular problem,” said Insp Stubbs.
Labour councillor for Gleadless Valley, Tim Rippon said: “I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. For me it’s a fantastic place and the people there are quite fantastic too.”
Karen, who said she wanted home delivery as neither herself nor her mum are able to carry heavy shopping bags, said Tesco gave them only one alternative , to pick up their order themselves from a store in Chesterfield.
The Tesco spokeswoman added: “We will keep our decision not to deliver to this area under review.”
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