DOZENS of angry shoppers are boycotting the last Tesco in Britain to remain closed on Sundays ahead of its controversial opening on the Sabbath.
The plans for the store in Stornoway were met with fury on the deeply religious island of Lewis, with 200 people furiously opposing the plans at a public meeting last Friday.
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Now, fed-up islanders are ditching the supermarket giant for the nearby Co-Op – despite it being “more expensive” – to show their anger at the opening from this Sunday.
Western Isle Councillor Gordon Murray said: “There are dozens of people who have already quit the store because they are angry – even though going to the Co-op is more expensive.
They are going to take a hit but they are voting with their feet and their conscience.”
Former councillor Charlie Nicolson added: “There is a large number that have already switched and more will be joining them. The Co-op is very busy and has welcomed people it has not seen in a long time.
“People are also angry that Tesco never engaged with them and home delivery on Sundays is also planned in March. That will also change the character and peace of the island.”
Stornoway Community Council has urged the chain to reverse its decision.
And an online petition asking Tesco not to go ahead has attracted over 1900 signatures since being launched three weeks ago.
As a concession to these sentiments, the Stornoway store will not open until noon on Sundays and will close at 8 p.m. Tesco described this as “a unique approach” across their Scottish stores.
Christian Davies, Tesco store director in the Highlands and Islands said: “We are confident that the decision to open our Stornoway
Superstore on Sundays will allow us to balance the demand for a seven-day opening while remaining respectful of local traditions and culture.
“Over recent weeks we have received a significant amount of positive feedback to our Sunday opening proposals, particularly from colleagues.
“Of course, we understand that not everyone supports opening the store seven days a week and we will adopt a unique approach to Stornoway with shorter opening times on a Sunday than other locations in Scotland.
“We will continue to listen to, and work with colleagues, in the coming weeks as we prepare for the first Sunday opening and no one will be obliged to work on a Sunday if they choose not to”.
The island, which has a population of about 20,000, has a long tradition of observing the Sabbath day, meaning that some shops – including both supermarkets – currently keep their doors closed on a Sunday.
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