Rita Seymour, a 79-year-old great-grandmother, has been banned from every Sainsbury's and Argos store across the UK following a series of incidents at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire. She is now appealing the lifetime ban, arguing that her nearest alternative supermarket, Tesco, is a 20-minute journey compared to a five-minute walk to Sainsbury's.
Incident at Hook Store
The ban was imposed after a disagreement with a staff member while Seymour attempted to purchase a EuroMillions ticket. She claims she had to ask for the ticket four times before receiving a response. When the employee finally responded, Seymour alleges the staff member accused her of being rude and called management, who further accused her of insulting staff and 'pinching food'. Seymour stated: "She went to take a picture of me, and I pushed her camera out of her face. I said, 'I've done nothing wrong here, you're not taking pictures of me'. She was flinging her arms about."
The following day, Seymour was refused entry to the store and handed a letter informing her of the nationwide ban from both Sainsbury's and Argos.
Sainsbury's Response
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "We want everyone to feel welcome when they shop with us, and our colleagues work hard to create a positive in-store experience. We take any form of abusive and inappropriate behaviour seriously. Following a number of incidents over time, a decision was taken to withdraw this individual's right to shop at our Hook store. This action was not taken lightly, but the safety and well-being of colleagues and customers always come first."
Seymour, who has lived in Hook since 1981 and previously worked in customer services, denies any prior incidents. She stated: "I'm not that sort of person, I never cause trouble, I never do any trouble – they're saying it to get out of everything. I want to clear my name." She visits the store weekly, spending between £80 and £100 each time. Her husband is disabled, and she relies on the nearby store for convenience.
Legal Grounds for Supermarket Bans
Supermarkets, as private property, can refuse service or ban individuals for any reason not violating anti-discrimination laws. Common grounds include theft, abusive behaviour, or antisocial conduct. The ban does not appear to breach protected characteristics, though Seymour disputes the allegations.
