THE Co-op has defended a decision to leave a slippery access ramp at one of its Highland stores untreated due to fear of legal repercussions.
Customers say that the tiled ramp – which is the only entrance and exit of the newly refurbished store on Kingussie High Street – suffers from water pools throughout the year and has become a hazard during the winter weather.
A member of staff said they had been told they were “not allowed to grit the ramp, because that would mean the Co-op was accepting responsibility for that area and could be sued if anyone slipped.”
Staff have been told they must not put down cardboard sheets, which they had previously used to absorb the water. Shoppers and a councillor have now insisted action is taken to make the ramp safe.
One customer said: “I noticed for the first time that it was really slippy because of the weather. It's not too bad for younger people, but old ladies would be quite worried because they could hurt themselves. The store should put something down.”
Another, who has worked with the community care forum in the village, said the ramp was part of the building and the Co-op had a responsibility for customer safety.
Echoing that, Badenoch and Strathspey Liberal Democrat councilor Stuart Black said: “It’s up to the management to manage the premises. I would have thought that it would be common sense to grit the area if it's becoming slippy.
“It's a sad reflection of the world we live in where everybody is afraid to carry out commonsense acts which would be helpful to people, because they are worried about what the repercussions might be if they are sued.”
In a statement, the Co-op said: “Staff have not been forbidden to lay grit on the walkway. Nor does The Co-operative have a policy not to grit the ramp.
“Staff may have misunderstood instructions not to lay cardboard on the walkway for health and safety reasons, which customers could trip on.
“The walkway has not been affected by snow or ice, but is wet. Because the tiles are smooth, laying grit or road salt, which is designed to melt snow and ice, would not have any effect. While the ramp is not very slippery, we would ask customers to take extra care.”
After the store manager had been alerted to customers' concerns, staff were seen mopping up water inside the entrance, but leaving the ramp wet and muddy.