A CLYDEBANK care worker has slammed a major national retailer for not allowing her and her colleagues to join the emergency services in its priority shopping hour.

The Wilko store in the Clyde Shopping Centre has remained open throughout the lockdown – but a local care worker, who asked to be known only as Maureen, said her request to get in without queuing was turned down.

Maureen said she was told the store was not giving special treatment to key and emergency workers because the shop was not primarily a food store.

Maureen said: “I am a care worker, caring for the elderly in Clydebank.

“I asked to get in quickly to buy a few items but they told me no, I was to join the 30 minute long wait.

“The staff member at the door said they won’t prioritise key workers, and a manager who then came to the door reiterated it.

“Asda and Home Bargains have had no issues letting us in. I had just finished a long shift and was probably caring for people of a similar age to the staff member’s parents.

“I felt totally embarrassed. People outside the shop just looked on and I didn’t even queue because I was shattered from my shift.”

Wilko does offer an ‘emergency services’ hour between 8am and 9am, however many workers start a morning shift before then; Maureen said she had begun her shift that day at 8am.

Maureen claimed that when she called the Wilko head office, a member of the chain’s customer services said that “the hour is really for night shift workers or old people, not for you”.

A Wilko spokesperson told our sister newspaper The Clydebank Post: “We want all families to be able to buy the household and hardware essentials they need right now and our priority is to make sure all our customers can shop safely and comfortably with us.

“We’re fully behind those playing a critical role during this difficult time and we’re showing our support through product donations to the NHS and other good causes in the local community, volunteering and fundraising.

“Anyone who needs assistance when shopping with us should contact a team member on arrival at the store and a member of the team will do their best to help.”

Asda, Lidl and Aldi have all said they will allow key workers into their stores without queuing, while Asda, Tesco and Morrisons have extended their opening hours.