Ollerton pensioner's complaint over reaction of Newark Range staff when asked why they weren't wearing face masks

A pensioner complained to head office over the reaction of staff at a Newark shop when she asked why they weren’t wearing face masks.

Suzanne Buxton and her husband were out for the first time after shielding for 2½ months and went to The Range for some essential shopping.

Suzanne, 72, of Ollerton, said: “I immediately noticed that the staff weren’t wearing masks. One of the girls pushed passed me so I asked her why she wasn’t wearing one.

“She replied that she wasn’t compelled to wear one and it was offensive for me to ask the question.”

Another staff member, also not wearing a mask, added that they did not have to serve the couple.

“It’s outrageous. There are terrible goings-on. I am afraid to go out and when I have done it is always with a mask,” said Suzanne, who has asthma.

“Why are we doing everything we can to keep ourselves and everyone else safe when staff at The Range can’t even take a basic precaution?”

A spokesman for The Range said: “We have taken all measures possible in every store to keep our staff and customers safe.

“Following government guidelines, we require the mandatory wearing of face-masks for all customers and staff unless a health condition makes them exempt from this.”