Asda denies weekend 'scuffles' at Doncaster store and tells customers to follow rules

According to a number of eyewitnesses, scuffles broke out at the firm’s Lakeside store on Saturday among customers angry at a lack of social distancing and queues.

One said: “It was absolute chaos. It was totally rammed again.

"People were getting into scuffles and tempers were getting frayed. It’s just people doing their shopping for God’s sake!”

Last week, the firm said claims of overcrowding at the store were ‘completely false.’

Local businessman David Plant had raised the matter with Asda bosses and Doncaster MPs and accused the firm of putting profits before people in the coronavirus lockdown.

In a new statement, Asda says it needs customers to follow rules on social distancing and mask wearing and said it had not been made aware of any ‘scuffles’ at the branch.

A spokesman said: ‘’We have extensive measures in place across all of our stores such as Covid-marshals, protective screens, social distancing signage and numerous hand sanitiser stations. Our customers can rest assured that we continue to follow all government guidance as we have since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.’’

Last week, Mr Plant described scenes of ‘absolute madness’ at the store and in an open letter to Doncaster MPs Nick Fletcher, Ed Miliband and Dame Rosie Winterton, pressed them for urgent action.

He said: “There were 8-9 people down every aisle and 10 plus people with trollies queuing for every till.

“Does Asda care about people over profits?”