Tony Daniels, a 73-year-old disabled grandfather from Mossley Hill, Liverpool, has described being 'kicked out' of an Asda supermarket in Widnes town centre on June 18 after a dispute over using a mobility scooter. The retired builder, who uses two walking sticks and has multiple health issues including cancer, said he was 'surrounded' by security guards and asked to leave when he refused to provide his name and address to use a scooter.
Incident Details
Daniels, a grandfather of nine, said he requested one of the mobility scooter trolleys at the Asda on Widnes Road. A security guard told him he needed to give his name and address first. Daniels refused and asked to speak to a manager. 'He went on his walkie-talkie, and the next minute, I was surrounded by three to four security guards,' Daniels said. '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.”'
Comparison With Local Store
Daniels contrasted the experience with his usual Asda on Smithdown Road in Liverpool, where he said he is never asked for details. 'They’re great with me. I just ask for a buggy, and they say, “No problem.” They help me with my packing and shopping,' he said. '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.'
Asda's Response
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.'
